Standard infection control precautions (SICP)
Standard infection control precautions (SICPs) and protection of healthcare workers could prevent the transmission of many other pathogens and make a major contribution to reducing healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) (Lynch et al. 1987; Wilson 2008).
SICPs underpin routine safe practice, protecting both staff and residents from micro-organisms that may cause infection.
SICPs are the basic infection prevention and control measures necessary to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents from both recognised and unrecognised sources of infection.
To be effective in protecting against infection risks, SICPs must be used continuously and consistently by all staff.
SICPs are to be used by all staff in all care settings at all times for all patients, whether infection is known to be present or not. This is to make sure the safety of those being cared for, staff, and visitors in the care environment. By doing this, best practice becomes second nature, and the risk of infection is minimised.
The application of SICPs during care delivery is determined by an assessment of risk to and from individuals, including the task, level of interaction, and/or the anticipated level of exposure to blood and/or other body fluids.
Sources of (potential) infection include blood and other body fluids, secretions or excretions (excluding sweat), non-intact skin or mucous membranes and any equipment or items in the care environment that could have become contaminated.
The use of SICPs, however, does not eliminate the need to isolate potentially infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis or enteric infection.
SICPs aim to help reduce the risk of exposure to potentially infectious materials/high-risk body fluids to the healthcare worker and resident.
High-risk body fluids include:
- blood
- vaginal secretions
- semen
- synovial fluid
- cerebral spinal fluid
- pericardial fluid
- pleural fluid
- breast milk
- amniotic fluid
- any other body fluid containing blood or that has the potential to contain blood
As microscopic blood particles or other bacterial or viral pathogens may be present in other body fluids, such as urine, faeces, nasal secretions, saliva, sputum, and vomit, it is recommended that SICPs be used for all these body fluids.
In addition, SICPs recommend that all healthcare workers take precautions to prevent injuries caused by needles, scalpels and other sharp instruments and devices.
Page last updated: 1 December 2023
