What is the purpose of standard precautions in infection control?

The purpose of standard precautions in infection control is to protect healthcare workers and patients from infection, regardless of the patient's diagnosis or presumed infection status. These precautions are designed to minimize the risk of transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings. They include practices such as hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe handling of sharps, and proper waste disposal.

Implementing standard precautions ensures that all patients are treated with the same level of care and protection, which significantly reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections. This approach is crucial because many infections may be present without obvious symptoms, and standard precautions help to safeguard both patients and healthcare providers by creating a uniform protocol for infection control.