Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which is the best method to prevent hospital-acquired infections?

1. Perform hand washing before and after patient contact

2. Isolation of all surgery patients

3. Unlimited contact isolation for at-risk patients

4. Preventing admission of high-risk individuals

The correct answer is: Perform hand washing before and after patient contact

Performing hand washing before and after patient contact is recognized as the most effective method for preventing hospital-acquired infections. This practice plays a critical role in maintaining hygiene and reducing the transmission of pathogens between healthcare workers and patients. Hand hygiene is fundamental in healthcare settings because it addresses a primary vector for the spread of infections—human hands. When healthcare professionals wash their hands before interacting with patients, they significantly decrease the likelihood of transferring harmful microorganisms that could lead to infections. Additionally, washing hands after patient contact prevents the health professional from unintentionally spreading germs to other patients or surfaces. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasize hand hygiene as a key practice in infection control protocols. While isolation methods for at-risk or surgery patients and limiting admissions of high-risk individuals can reduce the exposure to certain pathogens, they are not as universally applicable or effective as proper hand hygiene. Isolation protocols can also be resource-intensive and may not be feasible for all patients or situations. Ultimately, hand washing serves as a simple yet powerful tool to combat the spread of infections effectively in healthcare environments.