What is the recommended type of precautions to be used on every patient?

The recommended type of precautions to be used on every patient is Standard Precautions. This term encompasses a set of guidelines designed to reduce the risk of transmission of infections in healthcare settings. Standard Precautions are applied to all patients, regardless of their known health status, because they help minimize the risk of infection through body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes.

This approach includes practices such as proper hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe handling of sharps, and appropriate waste disposal. By utilizing Standard Precautions, healthcare providers can effectively protect themselves and their patients from potential exposure to infectious agents.

While Universal Precautions was an earlier term used primarily concerning blood and certain fluids, it has been expanded into Standard Precautions to cover a wider range of potential infectious materials. Specific and Discretionary Precautions are not recognized as standard practices in every patient scenario. The emphasis on Standard Precautions promotes a more universal approach to infection control, ensuring safety in all clinical interactions.