Which practice is essential for controlling infection within a healthcare setting?

Utilizing proper hand hygiene techniques is essential for controlling infection within a healthcare setting because hands are the primary vehicles for the transmission of pathogens. Effective hand hygiene, which includes handwashing with soap and water or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, significantly reduces the number of microorganisms on the skin. This practice helps prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) by ensuring that healthcare professionals and visitors do not introduce harmful germs into patient environments or onto surfaces.

In contrast, wearing gloves only during surgeries does not address the importance of hand cleanliness before and after patient contact, while cleaning instruments once a month is insufficient for maintaining sterility and preventing infection. Additionally, using antibiotics on all patients could lead to inappropriate prescribing and contribute to antibiotic resistance, making it a poor practice in infection control. Therefore, proper hand hygiene is foundational to infection prevention and control in any healthcare facility.