What is the primary role of nurses in infection control?

The primary role of nurses in infection control is to implement preventive measures and maintain a clean environment. This responsibility is crucial in healthcare settings to minimize the risk of infection transmission among patients, staff, and visitors. Nurses engage in practices such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sterilization of medical equipment, and adherence to protocols designed to reduce infection rates. Creating and sustaining a clean environment is vital to preventing healthcare-associated infections and ensuring patient safety.

While other roles like prescribing medications or conducting research may be relevant in specific contexts, they do not encompass the core function of nurses in infection control. Emotional support is important in nursing care but is not the primary focus within the context of infection control. Thus, implementing preventive measures and ensuring cleanliness are central to the nursing role in combating infections.