Name one key principle of infection control in healthcare settings.

Hand hygiene is a fundamental principle of infection control in healthcare settings because it is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infections. By properly washing hands or using hand sanitizer, healthcare workers can remove pathogens that they may have acquired during patient care or environmental contact. This practice significantly reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections, which can be serious and even life-threatening. Compliance with hand hygiene protocols is essential in maintaining a safe environment for both patients and staff and is widely promoted and emphasized in infection control guidelines.

While patient privacy protection, wise use of antibiotics, and reducing patient wait times are all important considerations in healthcare, they do not directly address the prevention of infections in the same way that hand hygiene does. These other aspects contribute to overall healthcare quality but are not key principles specifically aimed at infection control.