Final answer:
Antiseptic practices based on the work of Joseph Lister, who introduced the use of carbolic acid to disinfect surgical tools and clean wounds, pre-dated the Standard Precautions. Influenced by Semmelweis and Pasteur, Lister's methods drastically lowered post-surgical infections and laid the foundation for modern infection control protocols.
Step-by-step explanation:
The system that pre-dated Standard Precautions was primarily based on the principles of antisepsis as pioneered by Joseph Lister in the mid-19th century.
Prior to the widespread acceptance of germ theory, medical settings were notorious for fatal infections due to a lack of understanding regarding the transmission of pathogens.
Ignaz Semmelweis, a Hungarian physician, is credited with demonstrating the effectiveness of handwashing to prevent puerperal fever, and his practices laid the groundwork for future infection control measures.
Lister, influenced by Semmelweis and Pasteur's work, introduced protocols for sterilization including the use of carbolic acid to disinfect surgical tools and clean wounds, which significantly reduced post-surgical infection rates.
These antiseptic practices evolved over time and set the stage for what is known today as Standard Precautions, which encompasses a broader range of protective measures to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings.