What should a nurse assess in a patient's environment to ensure effective infection control?

The focus on cleanliness, clutter, and hand hygiene resources is essential for effective infection control. A nurse must assess the environment for cleanliness since a clean environment decreases the risk of infection by minimizing the presence of pathogens. Clutter can harbor germs and make cleaning difficult, so it is important that the environment remains organized and free from unnecessary items. Additionally, ensuring that hand hygiene resources, such as soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and disposable towels, are readily available supports proper hand hygiene practices, which are one of the most critical measures in preventing the spread of infections. By identifying and addressing these aspects, the nurse can significantly impact infection prevention and control efforts in the healthcare setting.