Which of the following practices enhances patient safety in the context of infection prevention?

Ensuring all staff are trained in infection control measures is crucial for enhancing patient safety in infection prevention. Proper training equips healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize potential sources of infection, implement appropriate prevention strategies, and respond effectively in case of an outbreak. Staff training covers essential practices such as hand hygiene, the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and protocols for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and equipment. When all staff members are well-informed and consistently apply infection control measures, the overall risk of hospital-acquired infections decreases, leading to improved patient safety outcomes.

In this context, other choices do not contribute as significantly to patient safety. For example, while encouraging handwashing is important, limiting it to just before meals does not promote comprehensive infection control. The use of disposable items can be beneficial, but it is not a standalone solution and may not address the full spectrum of infection prevention practices. Allowing unrestricted visitor access may increase the risk of infections being brought into healthcare settings, making it a less favorable practice for patient safety.