Universal and Standard Precautions

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Many of us in child care are used to reacting to infections only when we notice the signs or symptoms of illness. We then rely on exclusion policies to control disease. But the germs causing disease have been spreading for days before children appear ill. Illnesses like colds, diarrhea, and skin and eye infections are often contagious 3-10 days before you might notice symptoms.  ​The spread of communicable disease during your contact with bodily fluids and wastes that carry germs can be prevented if you practice proper infection control methods. 

The terms “Universal Precautions” and “Standard Precautions” describe procedures that were developed for medical and industrial settings.  Some adjustment in the procedures is necessary when applying these concepts in early education and child care. 

Universal Precautions apply to blood, other body fluids likely to contain blood, semen and vaginal secretions, but not
 to feces, nasal secretions, sputum (spit), sweat, tears, urine, saliva and vomit -- unless they contain visible blood or are likely to contain blood.  Universal precautions include avoiding injuries from sharp instruments and the use of protective barriers that reduce the risk of exposure of the worker’s skin or mucous membranes that might come in contact with germs that are carried in blood. 

Standard Precautions apply to contact with non-intact skin, mucous membranes, and blood, all body fluids, and excretions except sweat, whether or not they contain visible blood. The methods of infection prevention described in Standard Precautions are intended to reduce the risk of transmission of germs from sources of infection. 

Applying Universal and Standard Precautions 

​OSHA requires that all workers who may come into contact with blood or bodily fluids practice the following infection control practices at all times, with all people, regardless of their infection status.

1. Handwashing
2. Sanitizing
3. Gloves​
4. Waste Disposal
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
6. Immunization

Standard Precautions involve use of barriers as in Universal Precautions, as well as cleaning and sanitizing contaminated surfaces. Barriers are anything that stops blood or body fluids from coming in contact with open areas on your skin or mucous membranes.  The open areas on your skin are places that germs can enter your body and make you sick.  Open areas on your skin include cuts, scratches, scrapes, hangnails, chafing, or any other type of open areas.  Mucous membranes are the linings of your body openings where germs can pass into the body more easily than across intact skin.  Your eyes, nose, mouth and genitalia are all lined with mucous membranes.

Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
​2. Purposes for Protection
3. Bloodborne Pathogens
4. Transmission of Germs
5. Hepatitis B
6. Hepatitis C
7. Hepatitis (1/5)
8. HIV
9. HIV/AIDS Awareness (2/5)

10. Bloodborne Risks 
11. Bloodborne Pathogens (3/5)
12.  Standard Precautions
13. Proper Handwashing
14. Personal Protective Equipment
15. Gloves
16. Personal Protective Gear (PPE)
17. Cleaning
18. Sanitizing versus Disinfecting

19. Using Bleach-Water
20. Disinfecting, Sanitizing, Cleaning
21. Cleaning up Bodily Fluids
22. Safety Considerations
23. Universal & Standard Precautions (4/5)
24. Reactions to Exposure
25. Reviewing Bloodborne Pathogens
26. Final Quiz
Parking Lot