What do Standard Precautions in healthcare aim to ensure?

Standard Precautions in healthcare are designed to create a baseline of infection control measures that are applied universally to all patients, regardless of their known infection status. This approach is crucial to preventing the spread of infections within healthcare settings. By treating all patients with the same precautionary measures, healthcare workers protect themselves and others from potential exposure to infectious agents.

This practice acknowledges that not all infections are apparent and allows for comprehensive safety measures. While personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a role in Standard Precautions, the intent is not to exclusively rely on it, nor is it about screening patients for specific diseases or limiting care to only infected individuals. Instead, embracing a uniform protocol across all patient interactions fosters a safer environment for both patients and healthcare providers.