What do antiseptics do in the context of infection control?

Antiseptics play a crucial role in infection control primarily by reducing or eliminating microbes on skin and mucous membranes. They are chemical agents specifically formulated to be safe for application on living tissues, making them effective for the prevention of infections during medical procedures, wound care, and hand hygiene. By killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms on the skin, antiseptics help to lower the risk of infection, especially in environments where sterile techniques are critical.

In contrast, eliminating all pathogens from surfaces is typically the function of disinfectants, which are not intended for use on living tissues. While antiseptics do support the action of antibiotics by reducing the microbial load, they do not enhance the effectiveness of these drugs in a direct manner. Additionally, disinfecting surgical instruments is a responsibility that involves more potent agents or methods, such as sterilization techniques, rather than being under the purview of antiseptics. Thus, the primary focus of antiseptics in infection control is correctly identified as the reduction or elimination of microbes on the skin and mucous membranes.