What are standard precautions in infection control?

Standard precautions in infection control refer to a set of practices designed to prevent the transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings. These precautions are essential in protecting both healthcare workers and patients from potential infections that can arise in a medical environment.

Utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE) and practicing hand hygiene is fundamental to standard precautions. PPE includes items such as gloves, masks, gowns, and eye protection, which serve as barriers to prevent exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and infectious materials. Hand hygiene, which entails regular handwashing or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, is crucial for minimizing the spread of pathogens. It should be practiced before and after patient interactions, after handling any materials that may be contaminated, and at other appropriate times during patient care. By integrating PPE usage and rigorous hand hygiene, healthcare workers can significantly reduce the risk of infection transmission.

In contrast, the other options present incomplete practices or misunderstandings regarding standard precautions. For instance, wearing gloves only when necessary does not encompass the comprehensive nature of standard precautions, which advocate for consistent use of gloves when there is a risk of exposure. Similarly, only washing hands between patients neglects the critical moments for hand hygiene that occur throughout the day. Lastly, using masks only in surgery fails to