Standard Precautions
Standard Precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care.
Policy
All persons are expected to observe Standard Precautions during patient contact and when in contact with blood or other potentially infectious material. All blood or other potentially infectious material is to be considered infectious, regardless of the perceived status or safety of the material.
Why
Standard Precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, regardless of the patient's suspected or confirmed infection status, and in any setting where healthcare is delivered. These practices are designed to both protect HCP (health-care personnel) and prevent HCP from spreading infections among patients. Standard Precautions also protect patients by ensuring that healthcare personnel do not transfer infectious agents to patients via their hands or equipment used during patient care.
Standard Precautions combine the major features of Universal Precautions and Body Substance Isolation (BSI). They are based on the principle that all blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions except sweat, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents.
Standard Precautions include:
Hand hygiene
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Safe injection practices (not applicable for LifeCare)
Safe handling of potentially contaminated equipment or surfaces.
Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.
Detailed guidelines and training follow in subsequent sections.
Introduction
LifeCare Therapy Services, as an outpatient rehabilitation provider in Broward County, Florida, delivers physical, occupational, and speech therapy in both clinic and home-based settings. This program integrates OSHA-compliant Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training with CDC-based Standard Precautions, tailored to the unique challenges of outpatient and home-based therapy. Our policies and the associated training address regulatory requirements, infection transmission, practical application scenarios, and documentation, ensuring that all staff are equipped to protect themselves and their patients across diverse environments.
Regulatory Context
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)
The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard applies to all persons with reasonably anticipated occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), including therapists providing direct patient care in both clinic and home settings. Key definitions include:
Bloodborne Pathogens: Microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease (e.g., HBV, HCV, HIV).
Occupational Exposure: Anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or OPIM.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Specialized clothing or equipment for protection against hazards.
Engineering Controls: Devices that isolate or remove hazards (e.g., sharps containers, needleless systems).
Work Practice Controls: Procedures that reduce exposure risk by altering how tasks are performed (e.g., no recapping of needles).
Employers must establish a written Exposure Control Plan (ECP), provide initial and annual training, offer Hepatitis B vaccination, and ensure post-exposure evaluation and follow-up.
CDC Standard Precautions and Outpatient Guidance
CDC’s Standard Precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status, in any healthcare setting—including outpatient clinics and home care. These include:
•Hand hygiene
•Use of PPE based on anticipated exposure
•Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
•Safe injection practices
•Environmental cleaning and disinfection
•Safe handling of laundry and waste
CDC’s Guide to Infection Prevention for Outpatient Settings outlines the minimum expectations for safe care, emphasizing the importance of consistent application across all therapy environments.