UNIVERSAL PRECAUTION

"TREAT ALL BODY FLUIDS AS INFECTIOUS AND HAZARDOUS"

Proper practice of Universal Precaution is to avoid direct contact with the patient’s bodily fluids such as blood, transudates, exudates, female and male gonadal secretions and products of the excretory organs like the kidneys, pores of the skin and in the respiratory exhalation of substances. This is done by wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) like masks, gloves, hair cap, laboratory gowns, and other face protection..

All patients are well thought-out to be potential carriers of blood-borne pathogens. Wearing gloves when collecting or handling blood and body fluids contaminated with blood and wearing face shields is recommended when there is hazard of blood splashing on mucous membranes and when disposing of all needles and prickly objects in puncture-resistant containers.

Safety measures are suggested for all medical professionals who handles patients directly should utilize this safety precautions. This includes staff and employees who may not come into direct contact with patients.

Added safety measures are used in addition to universal precautions for patients who are identified or assumed to have an infectious condition, and differ depending on the infection control requirements of the patient.