Infection Control
Lesson 2:
Universal Precautions and Aseptic
Techniques
Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, students should be
able to …
 Perform the steps to follow concerning
standard precautions.
 Define medical asepsis.
 Perform the correct procedure for hand
washing.
History of Precautionary Guidelines
 1970 – CDC published a manual of isolation
techniques
 1985 – Universal precautions developed
History of Precautionary Guidelines
 1996 – CDC developed standard
precautions
 1985 and again in 1988 – guidelines for
hand hygiene and antisepsis were published
History of Precautionary Guidelines
 1996 – It was recommended that antimicrobial soap or
waterless antiseptic agents be used for hand hygiene when
leaving rooms of patients with multidrug-resistant organisms
(MDROs)
Standard precautions combine the
major features of universal precautions
and body substance isolation precautions
into one set of recommendations.
Universal Precautions
 A method used in infection control
that treats all human blood and body
fluids as if infected
Bloodborne Pathogen Standards
 Employees
 Must follow universal precautions
 consider all body fluids contagious
 handle with precaution
Standard Precautions:
A Summary
apply to:
 Blood
 All body fluids, for example:
 Sputum
 Urine
 Stool
 Non-intact skin
 Mucous membranes
Critical Thinking Question
1. Which body fluid does not require
the use of standard precautions?
Following Standard Precautions
 Wear PPE’s
 Wear gloves
 Change gloves
 Wash hands
frequently
Following Standard Precautions
(cont)
 Avoid contact with contaminated linens or
equipment
 Be careful with sharp instruments
 Dispose of properly
Following Standard Precautions
(cont)
 Do not recap used needles
 Avoid direct mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation
 Use hazardous waste containers for
contaminated material
Personal Protective Equipment
 PPE includes:
 Gloves
 Gowns
 Masks
 Eye protection
Hand Sanitizing and Hygiene
 Hand sanitizing
 the best means of reducing the spread of
microorganisms
Lab Time
 Handwashing Check off
 Page 56 Textbook
Workbook Pg 51
Word Parts Section
And
Evaluation of Learning Questions 1-17
Hand Sanitizing and Hygiene (cont)
 Hand hygiene recommendations
include:
 Not wearing artificial fingernails
 Natural fingernails should be kept short
CDC Guidelines for Respiratory
Hygiene/Cough Etiquette
 Reminder signs about cough hygiene
 Perform hand hygiene after coughing
 Use a mask as needed
 Provide at least three feet of space
CDC Safe Injection Practices
 Use of aseptic technique
 Use of single use items
Transmission Based Precautions
 Used in addition to standard
precautions to further interrupt the
spread of pathogens in hospitals
Airborne Precautions
 Designed to reduce the transmission of
TB, measles, or chickenpox
 known to be infected that are transmitted
via airborne droplet
 private room
 mask and gown
Airborne Precautions
 Hand washing and gloves
 pt will wear a mask during transport
 All reusable pt care equipment should be
cleaned and disinfected before use on
another pt
 Disposable items should be used if
available
Droplet Precautions
 Used with organisms spread by droplets
during sneezing, coughing, and talking
 mask
 Gown and gloves
Contact Precautions
 when infections are difficult to treat
 Conditions such as intestinal infections,
hepatitis, open wounds, respiratory
infections
 isolating pts, wearing gowns and gloves
 mask and eyewear may be worn
Latex Sensitivities
 ask the patient if there is a history of latex
sensitivity
Latex Sensitivities (cont)
 contact dermatitis, swelling, itching,
rhinitis, and may include anaphylaxis
Employers Should supply
 gloves
 Safety needles
 Sharps containers
 Sinks and running
water
 Biohazard
containers
Disposal of Infectious Waste
•
•
•
Line infectious
waste container
Discard waste into
container
Contain all liquid
Disposal of Infectious Waste (cont)
•
•
•
Do not mix
infectious trash
with everyday
trash
Do not put sharps
in the bag
Store full bags
appropriately
Physical and Chemical Barriers
 Used to maintain
infection control
 Prevent:
 Nosocomial
infections
 Health-care
associated
infection (HAI)
Medical Asepsis
 Medical asepsis
 The destruction of organisms after they leave
the body.
 Surgical asepsis
 sterile environment in which organisms are
destroyed before entering the body.
Medical Asepsis Hygiene Habits
 Hand hygiene –first stage of infection
control
 After using the restroom
 Before and after eating
 Between patients
 Jewelry should be removed
 Fingernails should be clean
Medical Asepsis Hygiene Habits
 Cleaning nondisposable equipment
 Using only clean or sterile supplies
 Wearing protective clothing
 Discarding any item that falls on the floor
and cannot be cleaned
 Disposing of waste properly
Critical Thinking Question
1. When are you going to use medical
asepsis?
Medical Asepsis in the Facility
 Replacing sharps
containers as needed
(3/4 full)
 Separating well
patients from sick
patients
 Keeping exam
rooms clean
 Emptying trash cans
Hand Hygiene
Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs
 Alternative to hand washing with water
and soap, unless:
 Hands are visibly soiled
 Professional has used the restroom or
eaten
Personal Protective Equipment
 Gowns, gloves,
masks
 Use as needed
 Be careful when
removing PPE
Go to Lesson 3