What is the primary focus of infection control techniques in healthcare settings?

The primary focus of infection control techniques in healthcare settings is to reduce the number of nosocomial infections, which are infections that patients acquire while receiving treatment for other conditions within a healthcare facility. These infections can lead to significant morbidity, prolong hospitalization, increase healthcare costs, and even lead to mortality.

Infection control strategies, such as hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment, sterilization of medical instruments, and isolation protocols, are all implemented specifically to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). By minimizing the risk of these infections, healthcare facilities aim to protect not only the patients but also the healthcare workers and the broader community from potential outbreaks.

While preventing the spread of non-infectious diseases, enhancing patient comfort, and improving healthcare worker efficiency are important aspects of healthcare, they are not the primary focus of infection control. The main goal is specifically to safeguard against infections that can arise in medical settings.