Strict adherence to hand hygiene protocols is the most effective way to prevent hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) because hands are the primary vehicle for the transmission of pathogens between patients, healthcare workers, and the environment. Proper hand hygiene significantly reduces microbial load on the skin, interrupting the chain of infection. This simple yet crucial practice is proven to decrease the incidence of surgical site infections and other HAIs in wards and operating theaters. Other measures are supportive but cannot replace the fundamental role of hand hygiene in infection control.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, Norman Williams, 27th Edition.