Which infection control measure is most effective in preventing the spread of airborne diseases?

The most effective infection control measure for preventing the spread of airborne diseases is the use of a mask and maintaining airborne isolation precautions. Airborne diseases, such as tuberculosis or certain types of influenza, are transmitted through droplets that remain suspended in the air and can be inhaled by others. Thus, employing a mask creates a barrier that helps mitigate the risk of inhaling these infectious particles.

Additionally, airborne isolation precautions involve using negative pressure rooms and monitoring airflow, further reducing the chance of disease transmission to other patients or healthcare workers. This approach is crucial because airborne pathogens can travel long distances and remain infectious for extended periods, making other measures less effective in comparison.

While gloves are important for protecting healthcare providers and patients from direct contact with potentially infectious materials, and regular hand hygiene is critical in preventing many types of infections, neither specifically addresses the airborne transmission mode effectively. Cleaning surfaces with disinfectant is vital for handling surface contamination but does not directly prevent airborne transmission. Therefore, the combined use of a mask and airborne isolation precautions is the most appropriate and effective measure in this context.