The nurse is caring for a patient who is colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). What infection control measure has the greatest potential to reduce transmission of MRSA and other nosocomial pathogens in a health care setting?

(A) Using antibacterial soap when bathing patients with MRSA (B) Conducting culture surveys on a regularly scheduled basis (C) Performing hand hygiene before and after contact with every patient (D) Using aseptic housekeeping practices for environmental cleaningAnswer Explanation: Handwashing is the major infection control measure to reduce the risk of transmission of MRSA and other nosocomial pathogens. No convincing evidence exists to support that bathing patients with antibacterial soap is effective. Culture surveys can help establish the true prevalence of MRSA in a facility, but are used only to help implement where and when infection-control measures are needed. Hand hygiene is known to be more clinically important than housekeeping.