What is a common practice in infection control?

Hand hygiene is a fundamental practice in infection control because it significantly reduces the transmission of pathogens that can cause infections. Proper handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers effectively removes contaminants from the hands. This practice is crucial in healthcare settings where the risk of spreading infections is high, including hospitals and clinics.

Maintaining hand hygiene helps protect both healthcare workers and patients, contributing to overall patient safety and care quality. By implementing adequate hand hygiene protocols before and after patient contact, healthcare facilities can minimize the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Other practices related to infection control, such as using antibiotics, can sometimes lead to resistance if not used judiciously, and not all patients require isolation. Routine surgeries do not necessarily pertain directly to infection control measures.