Which of the following is a key component of standard precautions in infection control?

Hand hygiene before and after patient contact is a fundamental component of standard precautions in infection control. This practice is crucial because it significantly reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections by minimizing the transmission of pathogens from one person to another. Proper hand hygiene practices, including washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, are critical in breaking the chain of infection, especially in a healthcare setting where multiple patients are treated and various procedures are performed.

While wearing gloves, using disposable instruments, and restricting visitors with respiratory infections may also be important practices in specific situations, they do not serve as the primary or foundational aspect of standard precautions like hand hygiene does. Hand hygiene is universally recognized as the most effective means of preventing the spread of infections, making it a core practice for all healthcare providers regardless of the situation or the presence of visible contamination.