What is a potential consequence of improper infection control practices?

Improper infection control practices can directly lead to an outbreak of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). These infections occur when patients acquire infections during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions within a healthcare setting. When infection control measures, such as hand hygiene, sterilization, and isolation protocols, are not adhered to, pathogens can spread more easily from one patient to another, or from healthcare providers to patients.

The impact of an outbreak can be significant, resulting not only in increased morbidity and mortality among patients but also leading to complications such as prolonged hospital stays, and additional treatment costs. An outbreak also draws attention to the healthcare facility's safety protocols, potentially harming its reputation and leading to further repercussions such as regulatory scrutiny.

While the other options mention valid concerns, they are often indirect consequences or results that may arise from an outbreak of HAIs rather than being direct outcomes of improper infection control practices. For example, an increase in patient admissions might occur as a facility attempts to manage the fallout from an outbreak, but it is not a direct consequence of failure in infection control. Similarly, reduced staff efficiency and higher costs for medical supplies can result from outbreaks but do not encapsulate the immediate threat posed by inadequate infection control.