Which infection control measure reduces wound infection risk in healthcare settings?

• A. Hand hygiene
• B. Reusing single-use dressings on different patients
• C. Sharing equipment between patients
• D. Skipping cleaning and disinfection between shifts

Answer: (A)

Hand hygiene is the most powerful way to prevent wound infections because hands are the primary vehicle for transferring bacteria and other pathogens between patients, staff, and surfaces. When hands are cleaned properly with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer before touching a wound, after contact with the wound, after removing gloves, and after any potential contamination, the number of microbes that could enter a wound drops dramatically. This simple practice interrupts the transmission chain and protects the integrity of the wound most directly.

The other options would increase risk: reusing dressings intended for a single patient can move contaminants from one wound to another, sharing equipment between patients without proper cleaning can spread hidden organisms, and skipping cleaning and disinfection between shifts allows residues and organisms to linger and be transferred. Prioritizing hand hygiene establishes a foundation for safe care and supports all other infection-control measures.