What is the most common mode of transmission for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?

The most common mode of transmission for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is direct contact transmission. This method involves the transfer of pathogens through physical touch between healthcare workers, patients, and contaminated surfaces. For example, when a healthcare worker touches a patient's skin or bodily fluids, there is a potential for pathogens to be transmitted directly.

Direct contact is particularly significant in healthcare settings because it can occur frequently during procedures such as examinations, wound care, or even routine tasks like hand-holding or performing personal hygiene for patients. Effective infection prevention strategies emphasize the importance of hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize the risk of direct contact transmission, highlighting its critical role in preventing HAIs.

Other modes of transmission, while relevant, are less common in the context of HAIs. For example, airborne transmission typically involves pathogens that remain suspended in the air and can be inhaled, whereas indirect contact transmission occurs through intermediary objects like instruments or surfaces. Vector-borne transmission usually applies to agents carried by vectors such as mosquitoes or ticks, which are less applicable in healthcare environments where direct patient care occurs.