Handwashing after patient contact; using gloves when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and contaminated items; using mask, eye protection, and gown during procedures likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretion, or excretions.; handling contaminated patient-care equipment and linens in a manner that prevents the transfer of microorganisms to people or equipment; practicing care when handling sharps and using a mouthpiece or other ventilation device as an alternative to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, when practical; placing the patient in a private room if he/she contaminates the environment, when feasible. See also airborne precautions; contact precautions; droplet precautions.

Work practices required for the basic level of infection control; they center on proper hand hygiene and also include use of protective barriers and appropriate handling of clinical waste.

An approach to infection control recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since 1996. Standard precautions synthesizes the major features of universal precautions and applies to blood and all moist body substances, not just those associated with bloodborne virus transmission. Standard precautions is designed to prevent transmission of infectious agents in the healthcare setting to patients and healthcare personnel.