What is the principle behind the "Standard Precautions" in infection control?

The principle behind "Standard Precautions" in infection control is to treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious. This approach is fundamental because it recognizes that any patient could potentially harbor infections, even if they do not exhibit symptoms. By adopting this precaution, healthcare workers minimize the risk of transmission of infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, and other communicable diseases, ensuring a safer environment for both patients and caregivers.

Standard Precautions incorporate various practices beyond just handling blood and fluids. They include proper hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment when needed (e.g., gloves, gowns, masks), and safe handling of sharps and waste. This comprehensive strategy helps protect against a wide range of pathogens, reinforcing the importance of vigilance in all healthcare settings, regardless of a patient's perceived infectious status. The other options, while related to infection control, do not encapsulate the overarching principle of Standard Precautions as clearly as treating all bodily fluids as potentially infectious does.