Which of the following is critical in preventing cross-contamination in healthcare settings?

Hand hygiene is critical in preventing cross-contamination in healthcare settings because it directly addresses the transmission of pathogens that can occur via healthcare providers' hands. Proper hand hygiene, which includes washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, effectively removes or kills microorganisms that may be present after contact with patients, surfaces, or contaminated equipment. This practice helps to reduce the risk of infections being spread between patients, healthcare workers, and the environment, thus playing a vital role in controlling infection.

While the other options contribute to infection control and may help reduce contamination risks, hand hygiene is the most fundamental practice. For instance, using separate cleaning materials for each area can mitigate cross-contamination, but it relies on consistent and effective hand hygiene to be fully effective. Similarly, regularly changing personal protective equipment is essential, yet it cannot replace the effectiveness of clean hands. Disposable items certainly reduce the likelihood of contamination, but their usage also depends on proper hand hygiene practices before and after handling them to maintain a safe environment.