Universal precautions are guidelines designed to protect healthcare workers from exposure to infectious diseases spread through blood and body fluids. They apply to all patients regardless of their perceived infection status. The key elements of universal precautions include wearing appropriate personal protective equipment like gloves, gowns and masks when exposure to bodily fluids is anticipated. Other important aspects are proper hand hygiene, safe handling and disposal of needles and sharps, and cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment. Adhering to universal precautions helps prevent the transmission of diseases in healthcare settings.

1. Dr.T.V.Rao MD
11/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

2. 
 The term health care worker refers to any person
working in health care settings and who has the
potential for exposure to infectious materials
including body substances, contaminated medical
supplies and equipment, contaminated
environmental surfaces or contaminated air . They
include, but are not limited to, physicians, nurses,
Laboratory technicians, therapists, pharmacists,
nursing assistants, laboratory personnel, autopsy
personnel, emergency medical service personnel,
dental personnel, students and trainees
Who Is a Health care Worker
21/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

3. 
What are Universal
Precautions
Universal
precaution are
control guidelines
designed to protect
workers from
exposure to
Diseases spread by
Blood and other
Body fluids.
CDC
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4. 
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5. 
Why Universal Health
Precautions.
The concept of Universal Health
Precautions emphasizes that all our
patients should be treated as though
they have potential blood born
infections, and can infect the caring
health care workers. ( CDC )
51/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

6. 
MODESOF TRANSMISSION ofInfectionsin
Health Care
 Puncture wounds or
cuts
 Contact (touch, splash,
or spray) with blood or
OPIM on:
 mucous membrane
 non-intact skin
 cuts, abrasions,
burns
 acne, rashes
 paper cuts,
hangnails
 contaminated sharps
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7. 
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8. 
Human materials/Tissues
considered Highly Infectious
1 Blood most
infectious
2 Semen
3 Vaginal secretions
4 C S F
5 Synovial fluids
6 Amniotic fluid
7 All other body fluids
81/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

9. 
Not Infectious unless contaminated
with Blood or Body fluids.
 Feces,
 Nasal secretions,
 Sputum,
 Sweat,
 Tears,
 Urine / Vomitus,
 Saliva unless blood
stained.
91/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

10. 
Universal Precaution Steps
Gloves (Personal
Protective
Equipment)
Decontamination
Hand Washing
Waste Disposal
101/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

11. Use of Gloves
Use of a pair of
disposable plastic
gloves can protect
if chances of
contact with Blood
or Body fluid is
anticipated /
inevitable.
111/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

12. 
Step 1 Gloves...
Always wear gloves when
Direct contact with
body fluids is
anticipated
(nosebleeds,
bleeding abrasions,
etc.)
Handling clothes
soiled by urine,
feces, vomit or
blood 121/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

13. 
Step 2 …Gloves…
 One time use.
 If gloves not immediately
available, use barrier such
as paper towels.
 When removing, peel off
hands and roll glove
outside in.
 Discard gloves in lined
waste container.
 Wash hands after
removing gloves.
131/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

14. 
HAND WASHING
There is no Health
precaution like
Hand washing.
Washing with
simple toilet soap -
reduces the rate of
transmission of
common infections
including the HIV.
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15. 
How to Wash our Hands
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16. 
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17. 
Indications for Hand
Washing
In prolonged contact with patient.
Before taking care of Immune supressed,New
born infants, patients in ICU / ICCU,
Dialysis Units, Burn’s Units.
Before and after touching wounds.
When Microbial contamination of Hands,
likely to occur when in contact with mucous
membranes, body fluids, and other secretions
contaminated with Blood, and serous fluids.
171/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

18. 
What to be used for hand
washing
In most circumstances Non medicated soaps
and detergents are effective in removing
most transient contaminants.
In demanding circumstances, in
handling potentially harmful
infections, use Ethyl or Isopropyl
alcohol.
Detergent formulations containing
Chlorhexidine Povidone,or Hexachlorophene
are effective in prevention of spread of
infections.
181/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

19. Use of Mask, Cap, Eye Wear
Will certainly protect
us from splashes of
Blood or Body fluids.
Don't underestimate
the importance of Use
of Cap and Mask.
Most important in
collection of swabs
in Influenza
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20. Uses of Cap and Mask
Stringent use of
Mask and Cap
can save several
Lives in the
Hospital
Eg Swine flu
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21. 
Use of Foot wear
 Wearing foot wear
covering entire sole
protects the entry of
Microbes from the
contaminated floors
with Blood and Body
fluids.
 Remember many of us
have cracks on our feet.
211/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

22. 
Use of Impervious Gown
A simple thin Plastic
apron underneath
the linen is of great
help in preventing
the soaking our
inner clothes and
exposure to
harmful microbes.
221/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

23. 
Disposal of Needles and
Sharps
All used needles and sharps should be
deposited in thick walled puncture resistant
containers.
Bending, Reshaping, should be prohibited.
Do not recap the needles to avoid needle
stick injures,
All used Disposable syringes and needles
should be discarded into Bleach solution at
the work station before final disposal.
231/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

24. Dealing with Used Needle
Shredding
continues to be
Important
Method
Of dealing with
used Needle
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25. You can Discard the Used Disposable
Needles and Syringes in Bleached Solution
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26. SHARPS CONTAINERS
MUST BE:
closable and puncture
resistant
leak proof
labeled or color-coded
functional
sufficientin number
easily accessible and
maintainedin upright position
replaced peragency policy
NOT be overfilled
261/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

27. Accidental Exposure
Alert your
supervisor.
Complete employee
injury report.
Follow-up with
District’s Worker’s
Comp medical
provider for
confidential
evaluation.
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28. 
Hazards of Needle stick
Injuries
HIV , HBV and
HCV viral
infections can
spread by Needle
stick Injuries
Nursing staff are
at greater risk
Several Injuries are
preventable
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29. 
REPORTING AN INCIDENT
Date and time of
incident
Job classification -
Technician
Location in the
worksite where
incident occurred
Work practice
being followed
Procedure being
performed
Minimal Informationto Report
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30. 
MEDICAL EVALUATION POST EXPOSURE
 Entitled to
confidential medical
evaluation
 Personal decision
about blood testing
 Blood may be tested
only with consent
 Blood may be stored
for 90 days, while
considering testing
 Interpretation of any test
results occurs with health
care provider
301/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

31. 
BLOOD TESTING
 Blood may be tested for
antibodies to:
 Human Immunodeficiency
Virus(HIV)
 Hepatitis C Virus(HCV)
 Hepatitis BVirus(HBV)
 Otherdisease-causing
organisms
 Sourceblood may also be tested
with consent
 Resultsoftests ofsourceblood
will be made known to exposed
person
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32. 
Dealing with Needle stick
Injuries
Consider all Needle stick injuries as a serious
health hazard in the era of AIDS
All events of Needle stick injuries to be
reported to the supervisory staff.
Wash the injured areas with soap and water.
Encourage bleeding if any.
Prophylaxis for prevention of HIV/HBV is
top priority.
Anti retroviral prophylaxis, if necessary
should started within 2 hours, ( if injury is
from HIV positive or high risk group).
321/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

33. 
Do not Recap Needles It can
cause Needle Stick Injury
331/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

34. 
Decontamination of Hospital
Linen
 All the linen
contaminated with
Blood or Body fluids
should be soaked in 1:
100 bleach solution for
30 minutes.
 Advised Autoclaving,
as the most ideal
procedure for
decontaminating Linen
341/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

35. 
Spillage of Blood/Body
fluids
 A common health hazard
in the working
environment.
 Never wipe the spillage
with working wet mop.
Always cover the spills
with Blotting paper and
pour 1 % Hypochlorite or
Bleaching powder to
decontaminate the spills
with HIV/HBV virus.
351/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

36. 
Decontamination of Metal
Instruments
Hold all contaminated instruments with
Gloved hands.
Subject all metal instruments to washing with
soap and water.
Treat all contaminated instruments with 2%
Glutaraldehyde. For at least 30 minutes.
Many consider sterilizing in Hot air oven if
not sharp instruments.
361/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

37. 
Pregnant Health Care Workers
 Not at more risk than
other, Health care
workers.
 Should adopt Universal
Health Precautions with
more dedication,
 If neglected the Unborn is
at grave risk of attaining
congenital infections.
 The Laboratory
supervisors should
monitor/ guide the
HCW’s for adherence to
scientific practices.
371/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

38. 
Waste Disposal
 Bag and tie
 Place in second bag and
tie again (double bag
technique)
 Place all sharps (used
needles) in sharps
container.
 Wash hands after
removing
gloves.
381/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

39. 
Do Not Do It
break, shear, bend or
recap needles
reach into used sharps
containers
pick up contaminated
items, such as broken
glass with bare hands
use a vacuum cleaner to
clean up contaminated
items
391/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

40. 
Do Not Do It
 pipette or mouth
suction blood or OPIM
 eat, drink, smoke,
apply cosmetics, or
handle contact lenses
in areas of potential
occupational exposure
 store beverages or food
in refrigerators,
freezers, or cabinets
where blood, other
Samples are preserved
401/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

41. 
Operating on HIV/High risk groups
It is a concern all
should be cared
equally.
Adherence of
Universal Health
precaution bring in
safety to all HCW.
Follow the
precautions even in
Non HIV patients as
some of our patients
are in window period
and more dangerous
than truly positive
with Sero testing.
411/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

42. 
HIV PREVENTION
There is no
vaccine to
prevent HIV
infection
Follow
Universal 421/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

43. 
Importance of Vaccination in
Hepatitis B Infection.
We have > 400 Million carriers with
Hepatitis B infections.
Every HCW is at risk of Contacting
infection.
Vaccination is safe -Genetically
Engineered vaccination remains the
great hope for prevention, apart from
Major component of Universal
precautions.
431/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

44. 
Vaccination for HBV infection
 All HCW’s must take at
least three doses of
Vaccine,
At 0 – 1 – 6 months.
without discontinuation
of the schedule.
 All Health care workers
many not attain equal
response.
 High risk HCW’s should
undergo estimation of
anti HB s ( antibodies ) to
know whether they were
well protected.
441/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

45. 
Problem of HBV vaccines in
the Developing world
Who pays for the Vaccine.
Many who work in unorganized
sector, do not get Institutional support
of Vaccine.
Life, at risk if Infected with HBV
More Awareness to be brought in by
Managers of the Hospitals, to promote
to vaccinate their Employees. 451/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD

46. 
Never forget to take Hepatitis B
Vaccine if You are a HCW
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47. 
Every one is a Important
Member of the Family
Every health care
worker is a
Important member
of the Family, one
should take all
possible Health
Care precaution to
save self and other
Members of the
Family
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48. 
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BEST WAY TO STOP / PREVENT THE
SPREAD OF INFECTIONS IS

49. 
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Program Resources from
CDC
WHO
NIH
OSHA Guidelines

50. 
Program Created for Health care workers
on Universal precautions to prevent
Infections in oneself and many others in
the profession
 Email
doctortvrao@gmail.com
501/30/2018 Dr.T.V.Rao MD