Contact transmission is defined as what?

Contact transmission is specifically defined as the transfer of microorganisms from one person to another through physical contact, particularly involving the hands of healthcare workers. This mode of transmission highlights the critical role of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infections within a healthcare setting. When healthcare workers touch a patient or surfaces that a patient has come into contact with, they may inadvertently transfer pathogens. This underscores the importance of proper handwashing and the use of gloves to minimize the risk of infection transmission.

The other provided options describe different types of transmission methods. For example, transmission through blood transfusions addresses a specific route of infection related to blood-borne pathogens, while airborne transmission deals with infections carried by tiny particles in the air. Contaminated surfaces can lead to indirect contact transmission, but the key feature of direct contact transmission is the physical interaction between people and their immediate environment, particularly hands.