What practice should be prioritized to minimize infection risk in a clinical lab setting?

Prioritizing proper hand washing is crucial in a clinical lab setting to minimize infection risk because it effectively removes pathogens from the hands, which is a primary vector for the transmission of infections. Hand washing should be performed regularly, especially after potential contamination points such as handling specimens, using shared equipment, or after removing gloves.

While wearing gloves, using alcohol wipes, and changing gowns are important practices for infection control, they should be complementing a solid foundation of hand hygiene. Gloves can create a false sense of security; if hands are not washed properly before and after glove use, the risk of contamination is not eliminated. Alcohol wipes are useful for disinfecting surfaces and equipment but do not substitute for hand washing. Changing gowns frequently is also important, but it does not address the direct transfer of pathogens that can occur through unwashed hands. Thus, proper hand washing remains the most effective and prioritized practice for minimizing infection risk in a lab environment.