Universal Precaution

A set of precautions designed to prevent transmission of all pathogens including HIV, HBV, HCV and blood borne pathogens when providing first aid or health care.

Persons like Health Care Workers (HCWs), including students and trainees whose activities involve contact with patients or with blood or other bosy fluids from patients in a health care or laboratory setting should follow these precautions when they handle blood, tissue and blood containing materials like pus, body fluids like C.S.F. Pleural and pericardial fluid, semen, vaginal fluid, amniotic fluid synovial fluid and peritoneal fluid. Also person handling sputum, bronchial washings and swabs from mucus membrane and wounds should also follow this.

Standard Precautions

• Thorough washin of hands before and after examination of patients or contact with specimen.
• Report all accidental exposure to the authorities and maintaining PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) register.
• Place used syringes and needles in impervious sontainers
• Do not recap or manipulate needles
• Seal specimen containers securely
• Wear gloves for potential contact with blood and body fluids
• Wear gloves when splash with blood and body fluids
• Wear mask
• Endoscopes to be cleaned and sterilized in glutaraldehyde (cidex 2%) for 30 minutes before reuse