Editing Universal precautions (section)

==Historical significance==
Universal precautions are an [[infection control]] practice. Under universal precautions all patients were considered to be possible carriers of blood-borne pathogens. The guideline recommended wearing gloves when collecting or handling blood and body fluids contaminated with blood, wearing [[face shield]]s when there was danger of blood splashing on mucous membranes ,and disposing of all needles and sharp objects in puncture-resistant containers.

Universal precautions were introduced in the US by [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]] in the wake of the AIDS epidemic between 1985 and 1988.<ref name=cdc>CDC. [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00000039.htm Update: universal precautions for prevention of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and other bloodborne pathogens in health-care settings]. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1988;37(24):377-82, 87–8.</ref><ref>CDC. [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00033093.htm Recommendations for preventing transmission of infection with human T- lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus in the workplace]. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1985;34(45):681-6, 91–5.</ref>

In 1987, the practice of universal precautions was adjusted by a set of rules known as [[body substance isolation]]. In 1996, both practices were replaced by the latest approach known as standard precautions.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2011-12-01|title=Universal to standard precautions in disease prevention: Preliminary development of compliance scale for clinical nursing|journal=International Journal of Nursing Studies| language=en| volume=48| issue=12| pages=1533–1539| doi=10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2011.06.009|pmid=21803354|issn=0020-7489|last1=Lam|first1=Simon C.}}</ref><ref>Adebayo O, Labiran A, Imarhiagbe L. Standard Precautions in clinical practices: A review. Int. J. Health Sci. Res. 2015;5:521-8.</ref>