What are standard precautions in clinical practice designed to achieve?

Standard precautions in clinical practice are designed primarily to prevent the spread of infections. This set of practices is fundamental in ensuring the safety of both patients and healthcare providers. By implementing standard precautions, healthcare workers are trained to treat all blood and bodily fluids as if they are potentially infectious, regardless of the patient's known health status.

This approach minimizes the risk of transmission of pathogens and helps control infections within healthcare settings. Standard precautions include measures such as hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe injection practices, and proper cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and instruments. Through these comprehensive protocols, the overall goal is to reduce healthcare-associated infections and protect everyone involved in the clinical environment.