One of the most important infection control methods is good hand hygiene. This includes washing your hands with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, before and after patient contact, after contact with potentially contaminated items, and before preparing food or eating. Good hand hygiene is essential for preventing the spread of infectious diseases and can help reduce the incidence of healthcare-associated infections.
In addition to practicing good hand hygiene, other important infection control methods include wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, and gowns, as appropriate for the task; disposing of waste in a safe and sanitary manner; and properly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces to help prevent the spread of infectious agents. It is also important to practice proper respiratory hygiene, such as covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
Finally, it is important to be up-to-date with vaccinations to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Vaccines help to protect both yourself and your patients from contracting diseases, and are an important component of infection control.