As a leader, what is a primary strategy to reduce hospital-acquired infections on a unit?

• A. Increase staffing without training.
• B. Enforce evidence-based infection control practices (hand hygiene, sterile technique) with compliance monitoring and feedback.
• C. Rely on patient-initiated precautions.
• D. Discontinue infection control education.

Answer: (B)

Reducing hospital-acquired infections hinges on consistently applying proven infection control practices. The strongest leadership move is to enforce evidence-based measures such as hand hygiene and sterile technique across the unit, and to back them up with systematic monitoring of adherence and timely feedback. When you monitor compliance, you identify gaps and opportunities for improvement; feedback reinforces correct behavior and sustains changes over time. Training alone won’t generate lasting safety if practices aren’t observed and reinforced, and relying on patients or stopping education removes essential safeguards. By combining standard practices with ongoing measurement and feedback, you create a culture of accountability that directly reduces infection transmission.