Which infection control measure is most effective in a clinical setting?

Performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact is the most effective infection control measure in a clinical setting because it directly targets the transmission of pathogens. Hand hygiene, whether through washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer, significantly reduces the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of infections.

This practice is essential because healthcare providers frequently come into contact with various surfaces, fluids, and patients, all of which can harbor infectious agents. By ensuring that their hands are clean before touching a patient or after an interaction, providers can effectively break the chain of infection transmission.

While wearing masks, changing gloves, and using hand sanitizer also play roles in infection control, they do not substitute for the fundamental measure of hand hygiene. Masks primarily protect against respiratory pathogens, and while they are important, they do not address all routes of infection. Changing gloves between tasks is crucial, but without adequate hand hygiene both before and after glove use, the risk of transferring pathogens remains. Utilizing hand sanitizer alone can be effective, but it should be part of a broader hand hygiene strategy that includes proper handwashing when hands are visibly soiled. Thus, hand hygiene stands out as the foundational and most comprehensive approach to preventing infections in a clinical setting.