Which of the following is an indicator of effective infection prevention programs?

Reduced healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates are a strong indicator of effective infection prevention programs because they directly reflect the outcomes of infection control measures implemented within a healthcare setting. A decrease in HAIs signifies that the strategies being employed—such as surveillance, hand hygiene initiatives, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and sterilization protocols—are successfully minimizing the spread of infectious agents among patients.

A well-functioning infection prevention program aims to protect patients by reducing the incidence of infections that can occur during the course of receiving medical care. When these infection rates decline, it not only enhances patient safety but also improves patient outcomes and can reduce healthcare costs associated with treating infections and their complications.

The other options presented may not correlate with effective infection prevention. For example, increased patient turnover rates, while beneficial in terms of hospital efficiency, do not necessarily indicate better infection control outcomes. Higher drug costs and longer hospital stays can often result from complications associated with infections, thereby suggesting a need for improved infection prevention measures rather than indicating their effectiveness.