What is the main goal of infection control in healthcare settings?

The main goal of infection control in healthcare settings is to prevent the spread of infections. This is crucial because healthcare environments, such as hospitals and clinics, serve vulnerable populations, including patients with compromised immune systems, surgical patients, and infants. Effective infection control practices aim to safeguard both patients and healthcare workers by minimizing the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Infection control involves a variety of strategies, including proper hand hygiene, using personal protective equipment (PPE), sterilizing instruments, and isolating patients when necessary. These measures are essential to creating a safe environment, ensuring that patients receive the best care possible without the added burden of infections that could complicate their medical issues.

While other options may be considerations in healthcare management, they do not align with the primary focus of infection control. Limiting insurance liabilities, promoting staff efficiency, and reducing medical expenses are all important aspects of healthcare operations but are secondary to the fundamental aim of preventing infections, which directly impacts patient safety and quality of care.