Nosocomial infection can be reduced in hospitals by which measures?

• A. Limiting hand hygiene
• B. Hand hygiene, sterilization, and isolation precautions
• C. Using shared equipment without sterilization
• D. Increased patient turnover

Answer: (B)

Reducing hospital-acquired infections hinges on interrupting how infections spread: through hands, shared equipment, and patient contact. Hand hygiene is the most effective frontline defense because healthcare workers’ hands are a common vehicle for transmitting pathogens between patients. Sterilization and disinfection of instruments and reusable equipment prevent introducing infectious agents during care. Isolation precautions limit spread from patients who are infectious or colonized by using dedicated rooms, barriers, and appropriate personal protective equipment, protecting other patients and staff.

When these measures are used together, they address the main routes of transmission and form a comprehensive approach to infection control. Limiting hand hygiene would raise transmission risk, sharing equipment without sterilization would spread pathogens, and simply increasing patient turnover without proper infection control does not reduce infections and can even raise risk if hygiene and isolation practices aren’t maintained.