Standard Precautions

DEFINITION

A strategy for a successful infection control in the health care setting.

Used for the care of patient regardless their diagnosis and perceived infection status.

STD PRECAUTIONS PRACTICES

1) Hand washing

which is better??hand washing or hand rub??

When considering the effectiveness of hand washing and sanitizer use, we need to recognize that human pathogens and opportunistic pathogens, exist in multidimensional continuums in terms of survival, chemical resistance to antimicrobial compounds, and efficacy of hand washing etc.  Because each microorganism exists in their own multifaceted conditions for existence and survival, there can be no “one size fits all” approach to control and prevention of disease in respect to hand hygiene. 

The smaller the pathogen, the more easily trapped in the cracks and creases of our epidermis and our stratum corneum.  Here we need to realize that aggressive or “good quality hand washing” is more critical in going after viruses.A very large number of microorganisms, bacteria, viruses and fungi that are easily killed by hand sanitizers. (This means that h.washing kills smaller pathogens, while hand rubs only kills larger pathogens.Hand washing is always preferred for sanitizing one's hands and hand sanitizer should only be used for those situations where lack of water prohibits or limits washing. Also remember that hand washing should be done correctly to be an effective sanitizer and most people don't know how to wash their hands.)

2) Appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Goggles and Face Shield

• Heavy Neoprene Gloves

• Disposable Lab Coat and Corrosive Apron

• Plastic Vinyl Booties

• Respirators (All lab personnel must be properly fit tested

before using a respirator.)

3) Housekeeping and management of spillage

Immediate Action After Spillage of Hazardous Chemicals While Awaiting

Trained Personnel

i) Alert the workers around the area immediately.

ii) Workers should be highly cautious if the spillage involves corrosives,

highly toxic or reactive chemicals.

iii) Call for assistance as it could threaten the health of the health care

workers, patients and others in the vicinity.

iv) Put up a warning sign to indicate the area where the spillage has

occurred. This is to limit access to the area.

v) Cleaning of chemical spillage must be undertaken by trained personnel.

Handling of Chemical Spillage

All chemicals should be deemed as dangerous during handling.

i) Read the chemical label carefully before proceeding.

ii) Do not inhale or taste chemical.

iii) Use PPE such as goggles, gloves, lab coat, apron when handling

chemical.

iv) Skin that comes in contact with chemical should be washed

immediately with soap and water.

Chemical spillage should be cleaned up according to the CSDS. Example:

during the spillage of concentrated acids, pour sufficient amounts of sodium

bicarbonate on top of the spillage and leave the room till the carbon dioxide

released from the reaction has dispersed. The spillage can then be cleaned and

put into a strong chemical resistant container.

Chemical Spillage Kit

Laboratories should be equipped to handle small amounts of low hazard

chemical spills. The Chemical Spillage Kit is required for handling chemical

spills. These kits may sometimes vary according to the chemical.

Chemical Spillage Kit should consists of absorbents, PPE, clean-up material.

4) Disinfection and Sterilization

5) Management of soiled/ contaminated Linen

6) Disposable Sharp and Infectious Wastes