Standard precautions explained

What are standard precautions?

Standard precautions are the baseline infection control practices used with every person, every time — whether or not an infection is known. Because many people carry germs without symptoms, treating everyone the same way is what keeps workplaces safe.

The core elements

• Hand hygiene at the right moments, using hand rub or soap and water.
• Personal protective equipment chosen for the task and the likely exposure.
• Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.
• Safe handling and disposal of sharps.
• Routine environmental cleaning and cleaning of shared equipment.
• Safe handling of linen and waste.
• Aseptic technique for procedures such as wound care, where relevant to your role.

How they differ from transmission-based precautions

Transmission-based precautions are added on top of standard precautions when someone has a known or suspected infection that spreads in a specific way — by contact, droplets or the air. They never replace standard precautions.

Putting it into practice

The most common gaps are skipped hand hygiene after touching a person's surroundings, wearing the same gloves between tasks, and rushing PPE removal. Building good habits around these three makes the biggest difference.