Which practice is essential for nursing assistants in preventing infection?

Consistently practicing thorough handwashing is essential for nursing assistants in preventing infection because it effectively removes pathogens from the skin. Proper hand hygiene is the single most important practice in infection control and helps safeguard both the healthcare worker and their patients.

When hands are washed thoroughly with soap and water or an appropriate hand sanitizer, it minimizes the risk of transmitting harmful microorganisms that can lead to healthcare-associated infections. This practice is particularly critical before and after patient contact, after handling potentially contaminated items, and before any procedure that may involve exposure to bodily fluids.

In contrast, wearing jewelry can trap bacteria, neglecting hand hygiene allows the transfer of pathogens, and avoiding the use of gloves can expose healthcare workers to infectious materials. Each of these practices undermines infection control efforts, highlighting why thorough handwashing is a fundamental component of safe nursing practice.