Which safety protocol is essential when caring for a patient to avoid the spread of infections?

C is the essential safety protocol because hand hygiene is the foremost and most effective means of preventing the spread of infections in healthcare settings. Proper hand hygiene, which includes washing hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizer, significantly reduces the risk of transmitting pathogens between healthcare providers and patients. This practice should be performed both before and after any patient contact to ensure that pathogens are not transferred from the caregiver to the patient or vice versa.

While the use of gloves, disinfecting surfaces, and wearing masks have their own importance in infection control, they do not replace the critical role of hand hygiene. Gloves may have a limited use and can become contaminated, making hand hygiene essential even when gloves are worn. Disinfecting surfaces is a key part of maintaining a clean environment, but it does not replace the need for individuals to ensure their hands are clean after interacting with surfaces or patients. Wearing masks in non-patient areas may help with airborne transmission, but again, without proper hand hygiene surrounding patient interactions, infection control measures are insufficient.