Final answer:
Proper hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment, and adherence to aseptic techniques are crucial actions for preventing infections in both patients and healthcare workers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The action that protects both the patient and the healthcare worker from infections is stringent adherence to infection control practices, such as proper hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and aseptic techniques. Hand hygiene, including thorough handwashing and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, is critical, especially before and after patient contact, after the removal of gloves, and before and after procedures. Using PPE, such as gloves and face protection, helps to prevent direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, and contaminated surfaces. Aseptic techniques, including the sterilization and careful use of medical instruments, are vital to avoiding contamination during medical procedures. Vaccination of healthcare workers, particularly against Hepatitis B, is a preventative measure that has been shown to significantly decrease the rates of infection among medical professionals.