The term Standard Precautions speaks for itself. These are basic precautions taken to reduce the possibility of coming in contact with infectious body fluids including blood, secretions, excretions, non-intact skin and mucous membranes. In other words, anything that is warm and wet, except for sweat. Standard Precautions include hand washing, using alcohol hand sanitizers when there are no visible signs of soiling, and barriers such as gloves, gowns, masks and goggles, depending on the situation.

Transmission Based Precautions offer an added level of protection when the route of transmission is suspected or confirmed.  See the CDC 2007 Isolation Guidelines for more information on Droplet, Contact and Airborne Precautions; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2007 Isolation Guidelines. There you will also find Appendix A for type and duration of isolation precautions (pg. 94). These recommendations are the accepted standard for hospitals and long-term care facilities.

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