The 10 Elements of Standard Infection Control Precautions

CDC recommendation

To reduce Central venous catheters (CVCs) infection

• Hand hygiene with an alcohol sanitizer or antimicrobial soap prior to donning sterile gloves
• Maximal barrier precautions during insertion of the central line (surgical mask, sterile gloves, gown, drapes)
• Chlorhexidine for skin disinfection
• Avoidance of the femoral insertion site
• Removal of the catheter when no longer needed

Contact Precautions

Organisms

• MDR organisms (eg, MRSA, VRE)
• Enteric organisms (eg, Clostridium difficile)
• Parasites such as Scabies
• Viral pathogens

Infection control measures (before examining the patient)

• Hand hygiene (soap & water for C. difficile; alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill the bacterial spores)
• Nonsterile gloves
• Gown