What set of practices replaced Universal Precautions in 1996?

The set of practices that replaced Universal Precautions in 1996 is Standard Precautions. This change was implemented in response to an evolving understanding of infection control and the need to protect healthcare workers and patients from a wider range of health risks. Standard Precautions encompass a broader set of practices that include not only the measures outlined in Universal Precautions but also address additional risk factors associated with various types of body fluids and environmental sources.

Standard Precautions require healthcare workers to treat all blood and certain body fluids as potentially infectious, integrating measures such as hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and safe injection practices. This comprehensive approach is essential in maintaining safety in a healthcare environment, as it acknowledges that multiple pathogens can be transmitted through various means, not just through blood.

While other choices may refer to health practices or safety protocols, they do not specifically denote the recognized and established framework that Standard Precautions represents within healthcare and esthetics practice. Understanding this framework is critical for providing safe and hygienic care in esthetics and other health-related fields.