17.1.2  What are standard or universal precautions?

Standard precautions are those which should always be applied when dealing with any patients, including TB patients. These include:

  • Hand washing and antisepsis
  • The use of personal protective equipment (e.g. gloves)
  • Appropriate handling of patient care equipment and soiled cloths
  • Prevention of accidental needle stick/sharp injuries to healthworkers
  • Environmental cleaning and spills management
  • Appropriate handling of clinical waste (e.g. swabs).

For TB, the transmission-based precautions are those that protect people from airborne bacteria entering the body through inhalation, as you will now learn.

17.1.1  What is infection control?

17.2  TB infection control measures at community health facility level