What does the term "infection control" refer to?

The term "infection control" specifically refers to procedures designed to prevent the spread of infections within healthcare settings. This encompasses a variety of practices and protocols aimed at protecting both patients and healthcare workers from infections that can occur during medical care.

Effective infection control includes measures such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sterilization and disinfection of medical instruments, isolation procedures, and vaccination protocols. Implementing these practices helps to minimize the risk of healthcare-associated infections, which can lead to complications, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs.

While the other options touch on important aspects of patient care—such as recovery, equipment usage, and nutrition—they do not encapsulate the core concept of infection control, which is solely focused on measures to combat the transmission and spread of infections in a healthcare environment.