Educational Module: Standard Precautions
The basics of infection prevention starts here. Join in for an enlightening module on seemingly simple activities that make a big impact. Learn the core elements of standard precautions and how to apply those to daily to protect yourself and your patients. Germs invisible to the eye come to light through simulation showing standard precautions are vital.
By the end of this module, participants will be able to:
- Describe the significance of standard precautions in infection prevention.
- Identify key components for implementing standard precautions.
- Explore strategies using simulation to overcome challenges in adherence.
The Kentucky Infection Prevention (KyIP) Training Center, located in Louisville, Kentucky, has developed the following content. As a collaborator with the CDC’s Project Firstline, KyIP Training Center is committed to providing cutting-edge and high-quality training and information on infection prevention and control. Through a range of formats, KyIP Training Center delivers educational resources tailored to the diverse learning preferences and needs of the healthcare workforce. The materials are designed to empower healthcare professionals by promoting critical thinking in infection control, incorporating adult learning principles, educational best practices, and the evidence-based scientific principles that inform them.
Pictured left to right: Valenchia Brown, DNP, APRN, FNP-C; Kirsten Trudeau, MSN, APRN, FNP-C; Julia Frith, DNP, RN, CIC
This series was developed by Valenchia Brown, Kirsten Trudeau, Julia Frith.
Do you have questions about these modules?
Click the button below to get in contact with a member of the KyIP Training Center team to get your questions answered!
Module Documents
Standard Precautions Presentation
Standard precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices applicable to all forms of patient care. This presentation guides you through the significance of standard precautions in infection prevention, key components of implementation, and simulations strategies to address adherence issues.
View or download the presentation slide deck.
On-demand version of this presentation, including presenter voiceover, is available for continuing education credit.
Video Series
Correctly Donning and Doffing Gloves
Putting on and taking off gloves seems simple, but did you know there is actually a technique to follow? Watch this video on correctly donning and doffing gloves. For a challenge, contaminate the gloves with paint or shaving cream to see if you are taking them off correctly without contaminating yourself.
Proper Hand Hygiene with Hand Sanitizer
Washing your hands with hand sanitizer is most effective in the majority of cases, but are you doing it correctly for the right amount of time? Follow this video for the proper way to use hand sanitizer.
Improper Hand Hygiene with Hand Sanitizer
Not covering your hands effectively with hand sanitizer can leave microbes lurking and a chance to cause infection. Watch this simulated experience with glowing hand gel to see where these two hand washers missed and left harmful bacteria.
Improper Handling of Textiles and Laundry
Changing a patient’s bed linens can be a challenge especially if the patient is still in the bed. Being mindful of how you handle the laundry and linens will help protect you. Watch this simulated experience as this nurse improperly handles linens and the results of her actions.
Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette
This simulation depicts the difference of covering a cough with a hand versus coughing into the elbow. It also highlights the importance of hand hygiene either way. Check out the spread of the respiratory droplets that might otherwise be invisible to the eye.
Cough Simulation
Splashes and sprays from patients happen, but you can protect yourself. Watch the invisible effects as this healthcare worker gets coughed on during the routine collection of a nasopharyngeal swab.
Glove Contamination
Gloves provide great protection when used appropriately, but they are not a substitute for hand hygiene. Observe this healthcare worker removing a pair of gloves and the accidental contamination that occurs.
PPE Boot Camp Simulation
When wearing PPE, it is easy to forget how often we touch items in the patient and healthcare areas and then contaminate ourselves. This simulation discusses the importance of donning and doffing order, as well as points out the risks of contamination to self.
Isolation Gowns-Unrated Cover and AAMI Level 1, 2, 3, and 4
When wearing PPE, it is easy to forget how often we touch items in the patient and healthcare areas and then contaminate ourselves. This simulation discusses the importance of donning and doffing order, as well as points out the risks of contamination to self.
Unsafe Injection Practices
When drawing up medications from vials, safe injection practices are crucial. Many outbreaks in history have occurred from reusing syringes and needles. See the contamination that occurs when a syringe is reused. A syringe and needle should only be single use and only used on one single person.