What do universal precautions involve in the context of patient care?

In the context of patient care, universal precautions involve employing PPD (personal protective devices) and PPE (personal protective equipment) with every patient. This approach is designed to minimize the risk of transmission of infectious diseases in healthcare settings. Universal precautions assume that all blood and certain body fluids are potentially infectious, regardless of the patient’s known status. Therefore, healthcare workers are encouraged to use protective measures, such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection, to protect themselves and prevent the spread of pathogens when interacting with any patient.

This principle is crucial in ensuring the safety of both patients and healthcare providers, as it establishes a standard practice of infection control. By using PPE consistently, the likelihood of exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious agents is significantly reduced, which is a critical consideration in healthcare environments.