What is the purpose of infection control within healthcare organizations?

The purpose of infection control within healthcare organizations is to minimize the risk of infection among patients and providers. Effective infection control practices are essential for ensuring patient safety, as they help to prevent the spread of infectious diseases within healthcare settings. This encompasses a range of strategies, including hand hygiene, sterilization of equipment, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and isolation of infected patients when necessary.

Minimizing the risk of infection is critical not only for protecting the health of patients but also for safeguarding healthcare workers and the community at large. When infection control procedures are effectively implemented, they contribute to better health outcomes, reduce hospital-acquired infections, and, ultimately, improve the quality of care provided by the healthcare organization. Hence, this focus on infection control is foundational to healthcare quality management and patient safety initiatives.