What is the purpose of Standard Precautions in healthcare settings?

Standard Precautions in healthcare settings are designed to provide a consistent approach to infection control that guards the health of both patients and healthcare workers. This comprehensive strategy recognizes that all patients can potentially harbor infectious agents, regardless of their apparent health status. By applying these precautions universally, healthcare workers can mitigate the risk of transmission of infections, thereby safeguarding themselves while also preventing the spread of pathogens to patients.

This approach encompasses various practices, including hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and masks when necessary, and the safe handling of sharps and waste. The aim is to create a safe healthcare environment where the risk of transmission of infectious agents is minimized for everyone involved. Thus, the focus is not only on protecting individual healthcare workers but also on ensuring that patients do not inadvertently become infected during their care.