What is the most important practice to prevent the spread of infection?

Proper hand-washing is considered the most important practice to prevent the spread of infection because it effectively removes pathogens from the hands, which are a primary vehicle for transmission of many infectious diseases. The process of hand-washing involves using soap and clean water to physically remove dirt, germs, and organic material from the skin. Effective hand hygiene significantly reduces the likelihood of transferring harmful microorganisms to oneself or to others, especially after activities such as using the restroom, handling food, or caring for someone who is ill.

While wearing gloves, using hand sanitizer, and wearing a face mask can provide additional layers of protection in certain situations, they do not replace the fundamental need for proper hand hygiene. Gloves may become contaminated, hand sanitizer is less effective when hands are visibly soiled, and face masks primarily protect others from respiratory droplets rather than preventing contact transmission via hands. Therefore, consistent and thorough hand-washing remains the cornerstone of infection prevention practices.