What is the primary goal of infection control practices?

The primary goal of infection control practices is to minimize the risk of infections and their spread. This is essential in various healthcare settings where the presence of pathogens can lead to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which can complicate patient recovery and lead to increased morbidity and mortality.

Infection control practices involve a range of strategies, including hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, sterilization of instruments, and environmental cleaning, all aimed at reducing the likelihood of infections occurring and ensuring patient safety. Rather than attempting to eliminate all pathogens—which is often not feasible or practical—infection control focuses on effectively managing and minimizing the conditions that facilitate the spread of infections.

This approach acknowledges that while it is impossible to eliminate all pathogens due to their resilience and ubiquity, the proactive measures implemented can significantly reduce their transmission in healthcare environments.