Which of the following is NOT included in standard precautions for infection prevention?

Standard precautions are essential practices recommended by health authorities to prevent the transmission of infections in healthcare settings. These precautions are designed to protect both the healthcare provider and the patient, regardless of the patient's infection status.

Hand hygiene is a fundamental component of standard precautions, as it is crucial to reduce the spread of pathogens. This involves washing hands thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after patient contact.

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves is also a standard precaution. Gloves protect healthcare providers from exposure to blood and body fluids while preventing cross-contamination between patients.

Eye protection or face shields become necessary during procedures that are likely to expose the provider to splashes or sprays of blood and bodily fluids. They offer an additional layer of protection against the transmission of infectious agents.

Patient isolation, while important in certain contexts, is not considered a standard precaution but rather a specific infection control measure used for patients known or suspected to be infected with contagious diseases. It is applied selectively and based on the individual patient's condition, rather than being a routine assessment for all patients.

Therefore, the choice regarding patient isolation is the correct answer as it is not included in the standard precautions, which are applied universally to enhance safety in healthcare environments