Standard precautions
Sterile processing definition
Standard precautions are the basic infection prevention practices used with every patient and every item, regardless of known infection status. In sterile processing, it means all used instruments and equipment are treated as potentially infectious and handled with appropriate PPE and safe practices.
On the CRCST exam
Expect a question asking how used instruments should be treated: as potentially infectious, always.
Exam domain: Departmental Considerations (about 15% of the exam)
Departmental Considerations practice questions
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