What should healthcare workers assume about all body fluids and materials?

Healthcare workers should assume that all body fluids and materials should be treated as potentially infectious because this practice is essential for infection control and the safety of both patients and staff. This assumption is grounded in the concept of Universal Precautions, which advocates for the consideration that any body fluid might contain pathogens that could pose a risk for transmission of infectious diseases.

By treating all body fluids as potentially infectious, healthcare workers are more likely to engage in proper hygiene practices, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and implement safe handling and disposal methods for materials such as needles, dressings, and other waste. This approach minimizes the risk of cross-contamination and safeguards against outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections, thereby protecting vulnerable patient populations and healthcare workers alike.