Question

Most likely to less likely

1. Hand hygiene w/ soap and water
2. Use of gloves
3. Use of approved chemical disinfectants in patient rooms
4. hand hygiene w/ alcohol gels

Answer 1

Infection control measures in healthcare settings are most effective when following this order: hand hygiene with soap and water, hand hygiene with alcohol gels, use of gloves, and the use of approved chemical disinfectants in patient rooms.

Step-by-step explanation:

When prioritizing infection control measures in a healthcare setting, it is essential to establish which practices are more likely to reduce the spread of infections. The practices can be ranked from most likely to less likely as follows:

1. Hand hygiene with soap and water is considered the single most crucial behavior to avoid infection. It involves using soap and warm running water and following a proper handwashing procedure, which effectively removes pathogens.
2. Hand hygiene with alcohol gels is an alternative when soap and water are not available and as an additional measure in healthcare environments. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective against many types of pathogens and are recommended when hands are not visibly soiled.
3. Use of gloves provides a protective barrier but is not a substitute for hand hygiene. Gloves must be used appropriately, and hands should be washed thoroughly after glove removal to prevent cross-contamination.
4. Use of approved chemical disinfectants in patient rooms is crucial for surface decontamination. However, it is secondary to personal hygiene practices like handwashing and the use of gloves.

By adhering to proper hand hygiene practices and employing personal protective equipment and environmental controls, healthcare workers can minimize the risk of spreading infections within clinical settings.