International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 521 Vol.5; Issue: 9; September 2015 International Journal of Health Sciences and Research www.ijhsr.org ISSN: 2249-9571 Review Article Standard Precautions in Clinical Practices: A Review Oladimeji ADEBAYO 1 , Adetunji LABIRAN 2 , Laura IMARHIAGBE 3 1 Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. 2 Department of Community Medicine, Igbinedion University, Okada. 3 Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife. Corresponding Author: Oladimeji ADEBAYO Received: 22/07/2015 Revised: 18/08/2015 Accepted: 25/08/2015 ABSTRACT Standard Precautions are recommended in care delivery to all patients, regardless of their presumed infectious state. It is a very important principle and practice among health workers globally. Non adherence may lead to infection with possible Illness, disability and fatality. It is a principle that kept evolving till its present state as various infectious agents emerge and reemerge. A review of articles related to standard precautions found on Medline, Google scholar and some institutions depository online was done. The knowledge and practice of this principles which includes hand washing and hygiene, use of protective barriers, environmental control, handling and adequate discarding of sharp instruments including needles, patient’s accommodation in accord to requirement levels as an infection transmission source, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette are necessary in all clinical settings. We have provided an update of the evolution and the principles in this article. Keywords: Standard precaution, healthcare, safety, health workers, hygiene, universal, precaution, Infection control. INTRODUCTION Standard precautions are basic level of infection control precautions in the care of all patients meant to reduce the risk of transmission of blood-borne and other pathogens from both recognized and unrecognized sources. (1) It is also those precautions designed to prevent and control the risk of acquiring occupational infection from both known and unexpected sources in the healthcare setting. (2-6) Standard Precautions are recommended for the care delivery to all patients, regardless of their presumed infection state. It is important when handling equipment and devices that are contaminated or suspected of contamination, and in situations with risk of contact with blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions, without considering the presence or absence of visible blood and non-intact skin and mucous tissues. (1, 7) Exposure and subsequent infection have serious implication on the health workers’ and their patients’ health and quality of life in advent of infection. (7) Therefore Standard Precaution is important in all health care setting. (1) Generally these