Types of Precautions
Hand Care
Precaution Guidelines
Bacteria
Herpes Viruses
100

Used to be known as “universal precautions”. They are designed to protect healthcare workers and pts. They are considered the best means to prevent nosocomial infections. They apply to Blood, all bodily fluids, secretions and excretions, non-intact skin, mucous membranes (but not sweat). Includes the use of hand washing and PPE. 

Standard Precautions 

100

A general term that applies to either handwashing, antiseptic, hand wash, antiseptic, hand rub, or surgical hand antisepsis

Hand Hygiene

100

- Appropriate Hand Care

- PPE = Gloves and gown

- Private room or w/ pt with same precautions 

- Dedicated Equipment (anything removed must be properly disinfected or placed in a biohazard bag)

Contact Precautions 

100

Category of a major bacterial human pathogen that causes a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Found in the environment in normal human flora does not typically cause infection and healthy skin. However, if it enters the bloodstream, it can cause a variety of potentially serious infections, includes MRSA and Staph A

Staphylococcus

100

Responsible for cold sores ** healthcare transmission is rare

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1)

200

Apply to evaporated droplets & dust particles. I.e. TB, measles, chickenpox, COVID 19, SARS, hantavirus, anthrax, norovirus and H1N1

Airborne Precautions

200

Washing hands with plain (i.e. non-antimicrobial) soap and water

Hand washing

200

- Appropriate hand care

- PPE= Mask and MAYBE gown and gloves

- Private Room

- Pt transport = pt must be masked if leaving room 

Droplet Precautions

200
Strain of staphylococcus aureus that has developed resistance to beta lactam antibiotics. It is generally transmitted thorough person-to-person or person-to-object contact and it can survive for long period of time on inanimate objects. Hospital personnel can become primary carriers.

MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus)

200

Sexually transmitted and most common cause of viral meningitis **healthcare transmission is rare

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2)

300

Sneeze, cough and talking i.e. Pertussis, influenza, mumps (rubella)

Droplet Precautions 
300

Refers to either antiseptic hand wash or antiseptic hand rub

Hand antisepsis

300

- appropriate hand care

- PPE= N-95 respirator, MAYBE gloves and gown

-Room: private room with negative airflow and the door remains closed

- Pt transport = therapy typically takes place inside of the room. If pt leaves room, patient must wear a surgical mask.

Airborne precautions

300

One of the most common bacterial pathogens that causes many diseases of diverse organ systems i.e. pharyngitis, scarlet fever, meningitis necrotizing, fasciitis, pneumonia, and strep throat. These can range from mild localized infections to life-threatening invasive infections. It is typically transmitted via respiratory droplets. 

Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A strep)

300

Chickenpox; acquired via inhalation of respiratory droplets, contact with vesicular fluid to mucous membranes and has the capacity to persist in the body following initial infection. It is highly contagious and incubates for 14 to 16 days. Individuals can be contagious two days prior to the appearance of a rash.

Varicella- zoster virus (Type 3)

400

Direct contact with host, linen and equipment i.e. skin infections that are highly contagious, MRSA, lice, scabies, impetigo, chicken pox

Contact Precautions

400

Intercept hand wash or antiseptic hand rub performed preoperatively by surgical personnel

Surgical hand antisepsis

400

For pts with extremely low WBC count. 

- appropriate handwashing

- PPE= mask

- Room = Private

- No fresh flowers no raw food. 

Neutropenic precautions

400

Bacteria that causes massive diarrhea and very serious intestinal conditions, such as colitis. It is commonly found in the everyday environment. Is most often recognize among residents of long-term care facilities, acute care or short-term hospitals due to the high rates of anabiotic use.

Clostridium difficile (c. Diff) 

400

Shingles (reactivation of the virus). Contact precaution should be used.

Herpes Zoster

500

Bonus Precautions for special diseases i.e. c.diff, rotavirus or norovirus. You HAVE to wash your hands in a sink for this type of precaution. 

Enteric Precaution 

500

Apply product to hands per manufacturer, guideline, and rub hands thoroughly until dry

Hand rub

500

How many seconds should you wash your hands for?

15 to 30 seconds

500

Common types of this bacteria include Klebsiella species and escherichia coli (E. coli). Experts fear this is the new super bug, as the mortality rate once it hits the bloodstream is approximately 50%. The CDC is referring to this as a nightmare bacteria. 

Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)

500

Transmitted through oral secretions or blood. Causes proliferation in the lymph nodes and spleen. Common complications include anemia, and there’s a risk of Swee rupture.

Infectious mononucleosis, a.k.a. Epstein-Barr virus.