Title: What are standard or universal precautions?
Course: Communicable Diseases Part 2 - Ethiopia (Full)

What are standard or universal precautions?

Standard precautions are those which should always be applied when dealing with any patients, including TB patients. These include:

- Hand washing and antisepsis
- The use of personal protective equipment (e.g. gloves)
- Appropriate handling of patient care equipment and soiled cloths
- Prevention of accidental needle stick/sharp injuries to healthworkers
- Environmental cleaning and spills management
- Appropriate handling of clinical waste (e.g. swabs).

For TB, the transmission-based precautions are those that protect people from airborne bacteria entering the body through inhalation, as you will now learn.