Protecting ourselves and our patients from nosocomial infections

Nosocomial infections are a major health problem for which patients and hospital personnel are at risk. Although the basic principles of infection control have not changed, attention to infection control in health care workers has increased during the past few years because of the AIDS epidemic. Adherence to thorough handwashing and barrier precautions, including gloving, masking, and gowning when appropriate, can prevent many nosocomial infections. Universal precautions and body substance isolation are approaches to patient care that, if adhered to, should reduce the risk of transmission of pathogens to patients and personnel.