All patients must be treated as if they are infectious. Universal precautions and infection prevention and control 1. The basics of hiv prevention understanding hivaids. Universal precautions for prevention of transmission of human.
While the basic concept of both precautions are to keep you and your client safe from bloodborne pathogens. Standard precautions are meant to reduce the risk of transmission of bloodborne and other pathogens from both recognized and unrecognized sources. Universal precautions is the name used to describe a prevention strategy in which all blood and potentially infectious materials are treated as if they are, in fact, infectious, regardless of the perceived status of the source individual. Under universal precautions, blood and certain body fluids of all patients are considered potentially infectious for human immunodeficiency virus hiv, hepatitis b virus hbv, and other. Using a onegroup, beforeafter design, we assessed the knowledge and attitudes concerning universal. Use standard precautions in providing for all patients. Under universal precautions, blood and certain body fluids. Universal precautions for prevention of transmission of hiv and other bloodborne infections fact sheet updated.
Universal precautionsbloodborne pathogensinfection control. Universal precautions is an approach to infection control to treat all human blood and certain human body fluids as if they were known to be infectious for hiv, hbv and other bloodborne pathogens, bloodborne pathogens standard 29 cfr 1910. Universal screening versus universal precautions in the. Standard precautions previously known as universal precautions there is a potential for all blood and body fluids to transmit viruses therefore. This toolkit aims to provide domestic violence and hivaids service providers with information and resources to enhance services for persons exposed to hivaids and domestic violence. Specific measures must be followed as per cdcnih guidelines in the universal precautions. Standard precautions for prevention of transmission of hiv. Who standard precautions recommend that all individuals be treated as if they were infected with. Compliance with universal precautions in a medical.
Universal precautions to prevent the transmission of hiv1 normal teaching and learning activities do not place anyone at risk for hiv infection, but accidents and injuries at school can produce situations where students or staff might be exposed to another persons body. Perception of health service providers in yunnan, china with a rising hivaids epidemic, it has become especially important for health. Universal precautions for prevention of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis b virus, and other bloodborne pathogens in healthcare settings. As a result, all human blood and bodily fluids are treated as though they are known to be infected with hepatitis b virus hbv, human immunodeficiency virus hiv and other bloodborne pathogens. Standard precautions and hiv postexposure prophylaxis in. In the world of blood borne pathogens, the most common is the hepatitis b virus hbv and the most deadly is the human immunodeficiency virus hiv. The cdc followed up with recommendations for prevention of hiv transmission in healthcare settings in august 1987.
Osha states, according to the concept of universal precautions, all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for hiv, hbv, and other bloodborne pathogens. Overview and history of universal precautions bloodborne pathogens the hiv epidemic. Universal precautions for prevention of transmission of. In order to be safe and not to discriminate, assume that everyone is infectious. Universal precautions policy according to the concept of universal precautions, all human blood, human blood components, products made from human blood and certain other materials are treated and handled as if known to be infectious for hiv, hbv and other bloodborne pathogens. Universal precautions are intended to prevent parenteral, mucous membrane, and nonintact skin exposures of healthcare workers to bloodborne. Wash hands frequently to reduce the risk of exposure to blood borne diseases. Universal infection control precautions for those in the hiv control. Healthcare providers should also always wear gloves, masks, goggles, other. Universal precautions contd blood borne pathogens are microorganisms that are present in human blood or other potentially infectious material body fluids that can cause disease in humans. The secretariat assistance of the aidsstds section, ministry of. This extension of blood and body fluid precautions to all patients is referred to as universal blood and body fluid precautions or universal precautions. Standard precautions include a group of infectionprevention practices that apply to all patients. Blood borne pathogens universal precautions hand washing.
The information provided here addresses frequently asked questions, common challenges, best practices, templates for adaptation, and resources for additional information and assistance. Universal precautions for prevention of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis b. Standard precautions combine the major features of universal precautions up and body substance isolation bsi, and are based on the principle that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions except sweat, nonintact skin and mucous membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents. A set of procedural directives and guidelines published in august 1987 by the u. Universal precautions to prevent the transmission of hiv. Consider blood and body fluids from all patients as potentially infective. Even if the nurses believed all the precautions they instituted were necessary to protect them from infection, that does not make their actions reasonable. Work practice controls means controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in. This paper is a report of a study exploring nepalese nursing students knowledge and attitudes about hivaids and universal precautions. The term universal precautions is usually used in the medical field and refers to a set of procedures that.
On the other hand, a needlestick can transmit hiv, so wearing gloves when reinserting an iv is reasonable. In the united states, hiv is spread mainly by having sex or sharing injection drug equipment, such as needles, with someone who has hiv. Universal precautions apply to blood and to other body fluids containing visible blood. What are universal precautions universal precaution are control guidelines designed to protect workers from exposure to diseases spread by blood and other body fluids. Universal precautions emphasize the need for health service providers to consider all patients as potentially infected with hiv or other bbp and to adhere rigorously to infection control precautions in order to minimize the risk of exposure to blood and bodily fluids of all patients. Universal precautions policy kent state university. In 1987, the center for disease control cdc published recommendations for prevention of hiv transmission in healthcare settings, which recommended that blood and body fluid precautions be used for all patients, regardless of their infection status. Universal precautions are a set of precautions designed to prevent transmission of human immunodeficiency virus hiv, hepatitis b virus hbv, and other bloodborne pathogens when providing first aid or healthcare.
The concept of universal precautions presumes that all bodily fluids are infectious and therefore all health care workers are to handle blood and or body fluids as if infected. On the contrary, results of this study show that the. Refer to routine practices for preventing transmission of bloodborne infectious diseases. The bloodborne pathogens putting you at greatest risk at work are hbv, hcv, hiv. Common routes of exposure include punctures from an infected needle or sharp, entry via mucous membranes e. Standard precautions centers for disease control and. According to the concept of universal precautions, all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for hiv, hbv, and other bloodborne pathogens. Coughing or sneezing, touching an infected person, or sharing equipment, materials, toilets, water fountains, or showers with an infected person. Hiv is not spread through the air, so respiratory precautions were unnecessary.
You may find the terms universal precautions and standard precautions are often used interchangeably. Request pdf universal precautions in the era of hivaids. Universal precautions for preventing occupational exposures to. Universal precautions are a set of protective measures one can take to prevent transmission of communicable diseases. Guidelines for the practice of standard precautions. The following are the standard recommended precautions for anyone working in a healthcare setting who may come in contact with blood or other fluids that may contain the viruses that cause hiv andor hcv, among other bloodborne diseases.
In 1985, largely due to the hiv epidemic, hospital isolation practices to prevent infection in the united states were altered dramatically by the introduction of a new strategy for isolation precautions, which became known as. Pdf universal precautions to prevent hiv transmission to health. These fluids are blood, semen, preseminal fluids, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Prevention of hiv transmission in health care settings updated on may 18 2007. Universal precautions for prevention of transmission of hiv. Universal precautions to avoid getting infected with hiv, hepatitis b or c or another communicable disease, use the following precautions when you come into contact with any body fluids or fecal matter. These 1987 recommendations encouraged the use of blood and body fluid precautions for all patients regardless of their infection status. Universal precautions have been recommended to limit occupational exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus hiv and other infectious agents, but whether these recommendations have been incorporated into routine practice has not been demonstrated. Universal precautions school employee information 20072008 universal precautions are defined by the following concepts.
Pdf the universal precautions recommended by the us centers for disease control cdc, atlanta, for the prevention of hiv human immunodeficiency. Universal precautions are basic procedures that protect against infectious diseases transferred by direct contact through blood and body fluids. The option universal screening, or universal precautions with enhanced ppe wherever necessary that would be costeffective in an organisation would depend on a number of factors, including prevalence of hivhbvhcv in the area, the level of awareness and training of healthcare workers, availability of reliable testing facilities and the. Casual contact, such as sharing household items dishes, cups and glasses is not a risk. Best practices that help prevent contact with blood and other body fluids your best protection against hivaids, hepatitis b, hepatitis c and some other infectious diseases procedures required in schools to protect students and staff from the possibility of unknown. In circumstances where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluid. Universal precautions is an approach to infection control. Treat all blood and body fluids as if they are infectious.
Universal precautions to prevent the transmission of hiv1 normal teaching and learning activities do not place anyone at risk for hiv infection, but accidents and injuries at school can produce situations where students or staff might be exposed to another persons body fluids. Nepal is facing an hiv epidemic, and nurses are primary caregivers for people living with hivaids. Universal precautions prevent the spread of bloodborne infection. However, it is likely that there are additional unrecognized and unreported cases 3. They are the basic level of infection control precautions which are to be used, as a minimum, in the care of all patients. The essential elements of the prevention of hiv transmission in the. Understand your facilitys medical surveillance program and be familiar with the appropriate standard operating procedures for accidental exposure to human materials. Centers for disease control and prevention cdc as recommendations for prevention of hiv transmission in healthcare settings to prevent. The infection control techniques were essentially good hygiene habits, such as hand washing and the use of gloves and other barriers, the correct handling of hypodermic needles, scalpels, and. Syringe exchanges should develop their own protocols for biohazard handling and disposal. To the extent possible, participants should be responsible for their. Hiv or the human immunodeficiency virus is a retroviral agent that causes the immune system of the body to weaken and lead to cause the acquired immune deficiency syndrome aids. The extension of precautions to all patients was referred to as universal.
Household precautions for people living with hep c. Implementing measures for the prevention of hiv transmission. With this approach, all human blood and certain body fluids are treated as if they are infectious for hiv human immunodeficiency virus. Aidsrelated knowledge, attitudes, and risk for hiv. Furthermore, the high likeli hood of progression from hiv1 infection to aids. Knowledge and attitudes of nepalese nursing students this paper is a report of a study exploring nepalese nursing students knowledge and. Hiv is spread only in certain body fluids from a person who has hiv. The application of standard precautions and guidance on appropriate selection and an example of putting on and removal of personal protective equipment is described in detail in the 2007 guideline for isolation precautions pdf icon pdf 1. Prevention of hiv transmission in health care settings.