When performing venipuncture, what is the best practice to minimize the risk of infection?

Using sterile equipment for each procedure is fundamentally effective in minimizing the risk of infection during venipuncture. Sterility ensures that the needles, syringes, and other instruments are free from pathogens that can enter the bloodstream during the procedure. This practice is critical because it directly mitigates the risk of transmitting infections from one patient to another or from contaminated equipment to the patient.

Employing sterile equipment significantly reduces the introduction of bacteria or viruses into the patient's system, a key factor in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). While changing gloves after every patient, cleaning the puncture site with alcohol, and limiting the number of attempts are also important practices in infection control, they may not directly address the risk posed by using non-sterile instruments. Ensuring sterility in the equipment used is a primary measure in safeguarding patient health during venipuncture.