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Universal/Standard Precautions
Health care facilities providing services in which there is a risk of skin, eye, mucous membrane or parenteral contact to human blood or other potentially infectious materials must practice universal/standard precautions.
Universal precautions means the prevention of disease transmission through the use of infection control practices with all patients. These precautions may also be referred to as Standard precautions, under
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
This Hospital complies with the infection control practices required by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), which were adopted by Indiana law, Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) standards and CDC recommendations. The following infection control practices include, but are not limited to; those required by the Universal Precautions Rule and are used to prevent transmission of blood borne pathogens to patients and treating staff:
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Appropriate use of protective barriers, including gloves for hand contact, masks, gowns, laboratory coats and protective eyewear or face shields are used for procedures having the potential of creating a spray or splatter of blood or other potentially infectious materials.
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Gloves, when required, are changed and hands are washed after each patient.
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Heat stable, non-disposable instruments requiring sterilization that are contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials are heat sterilized after treatment of each patient.
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Precautions are taken to prevent injuries caused by needles, scalpels, and other contaminated sharp instruments during procedures.
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Disposable contaminated sharps, needles, syringes and other contaminated sharp objects are discarded in puncture-resistant containers.
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Surfaces and equipment contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials that need not be sterilized are cleaned and disinfected after treatment of each patient. Disposable coverings may be used on some surfaces to prevent contamination.
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Infectious waste is placed in containers labeled with the biohazard symbol, impervious to moisture and of sufficient strength to prevent expulsion.
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Containers of infectious waste are stored in a secure area prior to treatment and final disposal.
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Patient care staff receives training on infection control.
The Infection Control procedures listed and others that are not readily observable protect you from disease transmission. Indiana law requires that health care facilities be committed to appropriate use of universal precautions. Any deviation from this commitment should be brought to the attention of our Infection Control Coordinator by calling 765.521.1582.
If you are not satisfied with the explanation of universal precautions provided by this facility, you may file an official complaint with the Indiana State Department of Health c/o Universal Precautions Coordinator, 2 North Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.
