Define cross-contamination and give two prevention strategies.

• A. Transfer of pathogens between clients or surfaces via tools or hands; prevent by using disposable items when possible, barrier protection, and proper disinfection and hand hygiene.
• B. Cross-contamination is a myth and not a concern in nail services.
• C. Cross-contamination only occurs in hospitals and not in salons.
• D. Transfer of colors between clients.

Answer: (D)

Cross-contamination means the spread of pathogens from one client, surface, or tool to another through contact with contaminated instruments or materials. In a nail salon, two solid prevention strategies are using disposable items and barrier protection to prevent contaminants from crossing between clients, and performing proper cleaning and disinfection of reusable tools and work surfaces between clients along with careful hand hygiene. The notion of transferring colors between clients isn’t related to infection risk, so it doesn’t describe cross-contamination.