What is the primary goal of infection control in healthcare settings?

The primary goal of infection control in healthcare settings is to prevent the spread of infection. This is crucial for ensuring patient safety, as infections can lead to severe complications, prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and higher mortality rates. Effective infection control practices, such as hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment, and proper sterilization techniques, are designed to break the chain of infection transmission. By focusing on prevention, healthcare settings can protect not only individual patients but also healthcare workers and the larger community, significantly reducing the overall incidence of healthcare-associated infections. This proactive approach is fundamental to maintaining a safe and effective environment for both patients and providers.