Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

Which protective measure is fundamental in preventing infections in clinical settings?

1. Hands should be washed only after treating a patient

2. Infection prevention practices should only be used sporadically

3. Hand hygiene is a critical infection control practice

4. Gloves are sufficient without hand washing

The correct answer is: Hand hygiene is a critical infection control practice

Hand hygiene is a critical infection control practice because it directly affects the transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings. Proper hand washing or the use of hand sanitizers significantly reduces the risk of spreading infections between healthcare workers, patients, and the environment. This practice is essential in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which can have severe consequences for patient safety and overall health outcomes. Ensuring that healthcare providers perform hand hygiene before and after patient interactions, as well as after touching surfaces, is vital in breaking the chain of infection. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasize the importance of regular hand washing as one of the most effective ways to control and prevent infections. Other options suggest practices that are inadequate for infection prevention. For instance, washing hands only after treating a patient does not address the potential transmission of pathogens before contact, while sporadic use of infection prevention practices could lead to lapses that allow infections to spread. Furthermore, relying solely on gloves without hand washing neglects the need to decontaminate hands, as gloves can sometimes have microscopic tears or can become contaminated themselves. Thus, the emphasis on hand hygiene as a fundamental practice is well-supported in infection control guidelines.