INFECTION CONTROL

Type Definition Equipment Clinical Application

Standard Reduce the risk of • Gloves • Blood
Precautions transmission of infection • Protective eyewear • Body fluids
from all recognized and • Gown/apron • Secretions
unrecognized sources of • Mask • Excretions
infection (formerly called • Any break in skin or
universal precautions) mucous
membrane
Airborne Reduce the risk of • Special air • Measles
Precautions airborne transmission of handling systems • Tuberculosis
infectious agents • Ventilation • Varicella
systems: HEPA filter
masks, N95
Respirator
Droplet Reduce the risk of • Surgical mask • Haemophilus
Precautions airborne transmission of influenzae type B
infectious agents (bacterial meningitis)
transmitted by large • Meningococal
particle droplets meningitis
• Mumps
• Pertussis
• Rubella
• Streptococcal
pharyngitis
• Scarlet fever
Contact Reduce the risk of • Gloves • Enteric infections
Precautions transmission of • Gown (diarrhea)
infectious agents by • Skin/wound
direct patient contact or infections
indirect contact with • Respiratory syncytial
contaminated items in virus (RSV)
the patient’s • Herpes simplex
environment. • Impetigo
• Viral hemorrhagic
conjunctivitis
• MRSA (methicillin
resistant staph
aureus)
• Scabies
• Conjunctivitis