Top Infection Control Practices Every Nurse Should Know in 2025

Infection control in healthcare includes hand hygiene, PPE use, sterilization, isolation protocols, and surveillance systems to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), protect patients and staff, and ensure regulatory compliance

Introduction

Infection control remains a cornerstone of quality healthcare delivery. With the emergence of new pathogens, evolving antimicrobial resistance, and ongoing global health challenges, nurses must stay abreast of the latest evidence-based practices and protocols. In 2025, infection prevention is not only about basic hygiene but also about adopting a holistic and proactive approach to patient safety and public health.

1. Hand Hygiene: The First Line of Defence

Hand hygiene continues to be the most effective method for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The World Health Organization (WHO) and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following in 2025:

• Use of Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs: When hands are not visibly soiled, alcohol-based hand rubs (containing at least 60% ethanol or isopropanol) are preferred for their rapid action and broad-spectrum efficacy.
• Soap and Water: When hands are visibly dirty or after contact with spores (e.g., Clostridioides difficile), thorough washing with soap and water is essential.
• Five Moments for Hand Hygiene: Before patient contact, before aseptic tasks, after exposure to body fluids, after patient contact, and after contact with patient surroundings.
• Proper Technique: Ensure all surfaces of the hands are covered, including between fingers and under nails, for at least 20 seconds.
• Regular Training: Annual competency assessments and refresher courses for all nursing staff.

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Enhanced Protocols

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped PPE guidelines, making them more rigorous and nuanced. In 2025, nurses should follow these key practices:

• Appropriate Selection: Choose PPE based on risk assessment and the nature of patient interaction (gloves, masks, respirators, gowns, eye protection).
• Donning and Doffing: Follow stepwise procedures to prevent contamination, including hand hygiene before and after handling PPE.
• Fit Testing: Annual fit testing for N95 and FFP2/3 respirators for all staff involved in aerosol-generating procedures.
• Reuse and Disposal: Adhere to facility protocols on the safe reuse, cleaning, and disposal of PPE, especially in resource-limited settings.
• Universal Masking: Continued use of surgical masks in all clinical areas, regardless of patient diagnosis, during periods of increased respiratory infection risk.

3. Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection

A clean clinical environment is vital for infection prevention. Updated guidelines focus on both routine and terminal cleaning:

• High-Touch Surfaces: Disinfect door handles, bed rails, switches, and other frequently touched surfaces multiple times daily using hospital-grade disinfectants.
• Terminal Cleaning: After patient discharge or transfer, perform thorough cleaning of the room, including all surfaces and equipment.
• Use of UV-C Technology: Many hospitals now employ ultraviolet (UV-C) robots for supplementary disinfection in high-risk areas.
• Spill Management: Immediate cleaning of blood and body fluid spills using appropriate disinfectant and PPE.
• Documentation: Maintain cleaning logs for accountability and audit purposes.

4. Safe Injection and Medication Practices

Unsafe injection practices can lead to serious outbreaks. In 2025, best practices include:

• Single-Use Only: Use single-dose vials and syringes for each patient. Never reuse needles or syringes.
• Safe Preparation: Prepare injections in designated clean areas, away from potential contaminants.
• Sharps Disposal: Dispose of needles and other sharps immediately in puncture-proof containers.
• Needleless Systems: Utilise needleless IV systems whenever possible to reduce risk.
• Education: Regular training on safe injection protocols and reporting of needlestick injuries.

5. Isolation and Transmission-Based Precautions

With the rise of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), transmission-based precautions have become increasingly critical:

• Standard Precautions: Apply to all patients, regardless of diagnosis. Includes hand hygiene, PPE, and environmental cleaning.
• Contact Precautions: For patients with known or suspected infections that are transmitted by direct or indirect contact (e.g., MRSA, VRE).
• Droplet Precautions: For pathogens spread via respiratory droplets (e.g., influenza, COVID-19).
• Airborne Precautions: For diseases transmitted via airborne particles (e.g., tuberculosis, measles). Use negative pressure rooms and respirators.
• Signage and Communication: Clearly mark isolation rooms and ensure all staff and visitors are aware of precautions.
• Patient Transport: Limit movement of isolated patients; if unavoidable, ensure proper PPE and advance notification to receiving departments.

6. Device-Related Infection Prevention

Medical devices such as catheters, IV lines, and ventilators can be sources of infection. Key updated practices include:

• Aseptic Insertion: Strict aseptic technique during insertion of catheters, lines, and tubes.
• Daily Review: Assess necessity of all invasive devices daily and remove as soon as clinically indicated.
• Maintenance Bundles: Use evidence-based care bundles for device maintenance (e.g., chlorhexidine bathing for central lines).
• Securement Devices: Use securement devices to minimise movement and reduce infection risk.
• Education: Ongoing training on device care and early identification of infection signs.

7. Antimicrobial Stewardship

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global concern. Nurses play a vital role in stewardship:

• Timely Administration: Ensure timely and accurate administration of prescribed antimicrobials.
• Documentation: Record indication, dose, and duration of antimicrobial therapy.
• Monitor for Side Effects: Be vigilant for adverse reactions and report promptly.
• Patient Education: Educate patients about the importance of completing their prescribed course.
• Culture-Based Therapy: Encourage clinicians to obtain cultures before starting antibiotics where feasible.

8. Vaccination and Immunisation

Nurses are at the forefront of immunisation efforts, both for themselves and their patients:

• Annual Influenza Vaccination: Recommended for all healthcare workers.
• COVID-19 Boosters: Ongoing booster recommendations for healthcare staff as per national guidelines.
• Other Vaccines: Ensure up-to-date immunisation for hepatitis B, varicella, measles, mumps, rubella, and others.
• Patient Advocacy: Encourage patients to receive recommended vaccines and dispel myths through education.

9. Surveillance and Reporting

Effective infection control depends on robust surveillance and timely reporting:

• HAI Surveillance: Participate in hospital surveillance programmes to track infection rates and trends.
• Outbreak Management: Promptly report unusual clusters of infection and participate in outbreak investigations.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Use infection data to guide quality improvement initiatives.
• Feedback Loops: Regularly review infection control performance and share feedback with staff.

10. Patient and Family Education

Empowering patients and families is essential for successful infection prevention:

• Hygiene Education: Teach hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and wound care to patients and their caregivers.
• Visitor Guidelines: Educate visitors on infection control protocols, including use of PPE and restriction during outbreaks.
• Discharge Planning: Provide clear instructions for infection prevention at home, especially for patients with devices or wounds.
• Addressing Concerns: Maintain open communication and address patient queries regarding infection risks.

11. Emerging Technologies in Infection Control

Advancements in technology are transforming infection prevention:

• Automated Hand Hygiene Monitoring: Electronic systems track compliance in real time and provide feedback.
• Rapid Diagnostics: Point-of-care molecular testing allows for early identification of infectious agents.
• Telemedicine: Reduces unnecessary hospital visits and exposure risk for vulnerable patients.
• Wearable Sensors: Monitor patient and staff movement to identify potential transmission routes.

12. Psychological Safety and Staff Wellbeing

Infection control is not just physical—nurses’ mental health impacts compliance and patient outcomes:

• Support Systems: Access to counselling and peer support for stress related to infection risk.
• Non-Punitive Reporting: Encourage open reporting of breaches or near-misses without fear of retribution.
• Workload Management: Appropriate staffing levels to minimise burnout and maintain high standards.

13. Updated Guidelines and Protocols (2025)

Major health organisations have updated several protocols for 2025:

• Universal Precautions: Expanded to include new pathogens and increased use of PPE.
• Periodic Review: Infection control policies must be reviewed every six months to incorporate new evidence.
• Simulation Training: Mandatory annual simulation-based training for all nurses.
• Integration of AI: Use artificial intelligence for early outbreak detection and resource allocation.

14. Cultural Competence in Infection Control

Culturally competent care enhances infection control:

• Respect Beliefs: Understand and respect cultural beliefs about illness, cleanliness, and treatment.
• Language Accessibility: Provide education and instructions in languages understood by patients and families.
• Community Engagement: Collaborate with local leaders to promote infection prevention in the community.

15. Legal and Ethical Considerations

Nurses must be aware of legal and ethical issues in infection control:

• Confidentiality: Protect patient privacy while sharing necessary infection information within the care team.
• Informed Consent: Obtain consent for isolation procedures and use of experimental therapies.
• Reporting Obligations: Fulfil legal requirements for reporting notifiable diseases and outbreaks.

Conclusion

Infection control is a dynamic and multifaceted discipline. As frontline healthcare providers, nurses must integrate updated guidelines, technological advancements, and compassionate care to minimise infection risks for patients, themselves, and the community. The practices outlined above, grounded in the latest evidence and global recommendations, will empower nurses to deliver safe, effective, and culturally sensitive care in 2025 and beyond.

Continuous education, vigilance, and adaptability are essential. By embracing these protocols and fostering a culture of safety, nurses can lead the charge against healthcare-associated infections and contribute to a healthier future for all.

REFERENCES

1. CDC, Clinical Safety: Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers, February 27, 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/hcp/clinical-safety/index.html
2. Carrico RM, Garrett H, Balcom D, Glowicz JB. Infection Prevention and Control Core Practices: A Roadmap for Nursing Practice. Nursing. 2018 Aug;48(8):28-29.
3. Erin Kyle, Why the Updated 2025 AORN Guideline for Transmission-Based Precautions Matters For Every Nurse, Published: 9/16/2025, https://www.aorn.org/article/why-the-updated-2025-aorn-guideline-for-transmission-based-precautions-matters-for-every-nurse
4. Barratt R, Gilbert GL Education and training in infection prevention and control: Exploring support for national standards. Infect Dis Health. 2021; 26:(2)139-144 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idh.2020.12.002

Stories are the threads that bind us; through them, we understand each other, grow, and heal.

JOHN NOORD

Connect with “Nurses Lab Editorial Team”

I hope you found this information helpful. Do you have any questions or comments? Kindly write in comments section. Subscribe the Blog with your email so you can stay updated on upcoming events and the latest articles.