Which of the following factors contributes to the spread of HAIs in healthcare settings?

The factor that contributes to the spread of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) in healthcare settings is the improper sterilization of equipment. When equipment used in patient care is not properly sterilized, it can harbor pathogens, leading to infections in patients. Inadequate sterilization procedures may allow bacteria, viruses, or fungi to persist on surgical instruments or other medical devices, creating a direct route for transmission during medical procedures or interventions. This is particularly critical in environments such as operating rooms, intensive care units, or outpatient care facilities where the risk of infection is heightened due to the invasive nature of many medical treatments.

In contrast, increased patient education tends to empower patients to understand hygiene practices and improve their own health outcomes. Regular disinfection of common areas helps reduce surface contamination and the overall microbial load in the environment. Improved healthcare staffing ratios can enhance the quality of care and monitoring of hygiene practices, which can also mitigate the risk of HAIs. However, these factors do not contribute to the spread of infections like improper sterilization does.