What is the first step in infection control?

The first step in infection control is hand hygiene. This practice is crucial because hands are the primary vehicles for transmitting pathogens from one person to another or from surfaces to individuals. Effective hand hygiene, which includes washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, significantly reduces the number of microorganisms present on the skin, thus preventing the spread of infections.

Prioritizing hand hygiene helps create a foundation for all other infection control measures. While wearing gloves, cleaning the treatment area, and using disinfectant sprays are also important aspects of infection control, they cannot be effectively implemented if hand hygiene is neglected. By ensuring clean hands before any direct patient contact or handling of equipment, health care professionals set a critical precedent for maintaining a safe and sterile environment. This practice is universally acknowledged in healthcare protocols, highlighting its importance in preventing both healthcare-associated infections and community outbreaks.