If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s the need for increased precautions to help keep us all protected. Because we are always concerned with the health and safety of our patients and staff, we always use universal precautions.
What are universal precautions?
Universal precautions are a set of standard procedures adopted by medical professionals to help protect their patients and staff. Generally, universal precautions are used to help avoid contact with patients’ bodily fluids to prevent the transfer of any infectious diseases. Universal precautions include:
- The use of PPE: Medical professionals regularly wear personal protective equipment, including gloves, masks, and eyewear. While COVID-19 may have highlighted to importance of PPE, this is something we have always done to care for our patients and staff and we’ll continue to do so with strict adherence to safety protocols.
- Frequent hand hygiene practices: We maintain intense hand hygiene practices to ensure we are not passing bacteria from one patient to another. As this is one of the most highly recommended practices to deter the spread of COVID, we are maintaining strict rules for patients and staff. We also avoid contact with the face and other parts of the body that are known to be common hot spots for bacteria.
- Equipment safety practices: To prevent the spread of any infectious agent, we consistently sanitize and use new equipment when sanitation isn’t possible. We also use protective coverings for our equipment which are replaced after each patient.
- Cleaned and regularly sanitized surfaces: This is a practice we have always engaged in, ensuring that all surfaces are actively sanitized and cleaned regularly. With COVID-19, we are taking additional efforts to ensure all surfaces are sanitized and thoroughly cleaned in between patients. We use CDC-recommended supplies to keep our office safe and clean.
How universal precautions keep you safe
Infectious diseases are not a new phenomenon. Universal precautions were implemented by the CDC in 1985. These standards were adopted mostly as a way to combat the spread of HIV. Now, universal precautions are practiced by medical professionals everywhere to prevent the spread of infection.
Universal precautions are in place to protect all patients and medical professionals. The use of sanitizers and PPE prevent the spread of infectious agents. Limiting the transfer of bodily fluids and skin-to-skin contact can reduce the spread of bacteria and help to keep us all safe from preventable infections.
What you can do to help support our use of universal precautions
To help support the increased efforts we are making to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and our future efforts to continue keeping you safe, try these safety tips:
- Wear a face covering to prevent the transfer of bacteria or unidentified illness.
- Always wash your hands before and after leaving the office.
- Limit skin-to-skin contact when possible.
- Keep a safe social distance from others, a minimum of six feet.
- Avoid public places if you experience flu-like symptoms or those associated with COVID-19.
- Seek proper medical advice if you experience any illness.
- Follow CDC guidelines on proper protections and post-illness isolation.
Remember, at Eraso Orthodontics, we take your health and safety seriously and we are constantly working to keep us all safe.
