What is the main goal of infection control practices?

The main goal of infection control practices is to minimize the risk of infection transmission. This is crucial in healthcare settings to protect both patients and healthcare workers. Infection control strategies include hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sterilization and disinfection of instruments, and the implementation of protocols to manage outbreaks. By adhering to these practices, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the spread of infections, which is essential for maintaining patient safety and improving health outcomes.

The other options, while important in their own contexts, do not align with the primary purpose of infection control. For example, increasing patient movement is more related to physical therapy and mobility, tracking medication side effects pertains to pharmacovigilance, and providing psychological support focuses on mental health. Therefore, the core objective remains firmly focused on infection prevention and control.