Infection control

Standard and transmission-based precautions

Standard precautions minimise the risk of transmission of health care related infections
Transmission-based precautions are used as well as standard precautions when standard precautions alone are not sufficient to prevent the spread of an infectious agent
Transmission-based precautions are based upon the mode of transmission of the infectious agent

Apply to all patients regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status
Must be used in the handling of

Blood (including dried blood)
All other body fluids/substances (except sweat), regardless of whether they contain visible blood
Non-intact skin
Mucous membranes

Hand hygiene before and after all contact
Use of personal protective equipment, which may include gloves, impermeable gowns, plastic aprons, masks, face shields and eye protection
Safe use and disposal of sharps
Use of aseptic 'non-touch' technique for all invasive procedures, including appropriate use of skin disinfectants
Reprocessing of reusable instruments and equipment
Routine environmental cleaning
Waste management
Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
Appropriate handling of linen

Transmission-based precautions (TBP) are used in addition to standard precautions when standard precautions alone may be insufficient to prevent transmission of infection
The type of TBP applied is based upon the mode of transmission of the pathogen
For diseases that have multiple routes of transmission, more than one TBP category is applied

Table 1.1 Transmission-based precautions required according to route of transmission