Infection Control Manual, Standard Precautions

Standard Precautions
	Introduction
	Transmission-Based Precautions
	Hand Hygiene
	Barrier Protection
	Sharps Disposal
	Patient Placement
	Patient Transport
	Food and Nutrition
	Lab Specimens
	Housekeeping
	Medical Waste
	Patient/Visitor Exposures
	Linen/Laundry Services
	Medical Emergencies

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Yale New Haven Hospital
QISS
GB 325
New Haven, CT
06504 USA

Dr. Jeff Topal
688-4634


Medical Emergency Situations

The Standard Precautions system requires hospital personnel to take the time to don protective barrier equipment and to practice special procedures for situations where contact with blood and body substances may occur. However, medical emergencies may arise when the patient demands immediate attention and quick responses. In these situations staff members may feel that they have only a limited amount of time in which to take all necessary precautions.

Even in emergency situations, health care professionals have both the right and the responsibility to protect themselves from exposure to potentially infectious blood and body substances.

As an absolute minimum, personnel responding to a medical emergency are required to wear gloves when in contact with blood and body substances. Other barrier protection should be put on as time permits or when other personnel become available to assist.
In addition, the staff must continue to use the utmost care and caution in handling contaminated needles and sharp instruments.
Manual respiratory resuscitation equipment is available as standard equipment on emergency carts. All personnel responsible for responding to emergency situations should be trained in the proper use of these resuscitation devices and should avoid direct mouth-to-mouth resuscitation whenever possible.

Last modified: September 30, 2002.