Which statement most accurately reflects a core infection-control practice with a measurable impact on reducing hospital-acquired infections?

• A. Performing hand hygiene only after patient contact
• B. Wearing gloves for every patient interaction
• C. Proper hand hygiene before and after patient contact
• D. Routinely isolating every patient with infection

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that hand hygiene at the right times has the biggest, measurable impact on lowering hospital-acquired infections. Washing or sanitizing hands before touching a patient stops transmitting any organisms from your hands to the patient, while performing hand hygiene after touching the patient helps prevent carrying those organisms to the next patient or to surfaces. This simple practice repeatedly interrupts the main route of transmission in healthcare settings and is linked to significant reductions in infections.

Gloves for every interaction aren’t the same as hand hygiene. Gloves can tear or be used improperly, and relying on them alone can lead to lapses in cleaning hands between tasks. Hand hygiene remains essential before putting on gloves and after removing them. Isolating every patient with infection isn’t practical or evidence-based for reducing overall hospital infections; isolation is used selectively based on known or suspected infectious conditions and specific precautions.

So, doing proper hand hygiene before and after patient contact best reduces transmission and has the clearest, most measurable effect on preventing hospital-acquired infections.