What is a common feature of standard precautions?

A common feature of standard precautions is the practice of hand hygiene before and after patient contact. This principle is fundamental to infection control and helps to prevent the transmission of pathogens. Proper hand hygiene significantly reduces the risk of spreading infections in healthcare settings, making it a critical component of standard precautions, which are designed to protect both healthcare workers and patients from the risk of infections.

The emphasis on hand hygiene ensures that any contaminants on the hands are removed, particularly after contact with patients or surfaces in their environment. This practice is applicable to all patients, regardless of their known or suspected infectious status, reflecting the universal nature of these precautions.

Other practices like using masks and goggles, isolating patients, or using gowns may be necessary depending on the specific circumstances and the nature of exposure involved, but hand hygiene stands as a universally applicable guideline that is integral to standard precautions across every healthcare interaction.