Question

In a surgery ward, what is the best method of prevention of post op wound infection in patients, and hence preventing their spread to other patients?

• A. Hand washing prior to and in between patient examination and dressings
• B. Fumigation of the ward
• C. Cleaning of the floor with Ceramide
• D. Vancomycin prophylaxis

Hint:

Think about what actually travels from one wound dressing to the next patient.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Identify what actually spreads infection between patients.
In a ward, the main route by which one patient's wound germs reach another patient is the hands of the staff examining and dressing wounds. Every time hands touch a wound, dressing, or bed and then touch the next patient, germs can travel along with them.

Step 2: State the single most effective control measure.
Hand washing before touching a patient and again between patients breaks this chain of spread. It is simple, cheap, and backed by strong evidence as the single most effective step in preventing hospital acquired and cross patient wound infection.

Step 3: Check why fumigation of the ward is wrong.
Fumigating a ward with chemical vapors does not reliably lower infection rates, is not proven to reduce surgical wound infection, and exposes staff and patients to unnecessary toxic fumes. It has been abandoned as an infection control method.

Step 4: Check why floor cleaning is wrong.
The floor is a low risk surface for spreading wound infection, since it is not directly touched during wound care. Cleaning it matters for general hygiene, but it does not stop the person to person spread that happens through hands.

Step 5: Check why routine vancomycin prophylaxis is wrong.
Giving vancomycin to every patient as a routine measure is not standard practice. It does not address the actual route of spread, and overusing a strong antibiotic like this only breeds resistant bacteria, making infections harder to treat later.

Step 6: Final answer.
Hand washing before and between patient contact is the best method to prevent and stop the spread of post op wound infection.