Hand hygieneWashing your hands, known as hand hygiene, is the most important way to prevent the spread of infections such as the common cold, influenza, and infections that are hard to treat such as Methicillin resistant staph aureus (MRSA). Insist that all health care workers and visitors wash their hands before they touch you or any devices you have. Show
To perform hand hygiene:
To use alcohol hand rub, dispense a walnut-sized amount into your hand and rub until dry before touching anything. Cough and sneeze hygiene (respiratory hygiene)
Special precautionsIf you are placed on special precautions to prevent transmission of infection, the nurse will explain the reason for precautions, what the staff will be doing and what your responsibilities are. Catheter-related bloodstream infectionsCentral lines (central venous catheters including PICC lines), are lines put into a large vein in your arm, neck, chest or groin. The end of the line stops at or close to your heart. You will receive medicines, blood, fluids or nutrition through these types of lines. They can also be used to collect blood for medical tests.
Surgical site infectionsHere is what you can do to prevent the spread of infection at the site of your surgery:
Urinary catheter-related infectionsYour chance of infection increases the longer your catheter remains in place. Here is what you can do to prevent a catheter-associated urinary tract infection:
How to prevent pneumoniaTo prevent pneumonia, follow the breathing instructions you get from your health care team. Ask your health care provider about the influenza and pneumonia vaccines (shots). Antibiotics useAntibiotics will only work for bacterial infections such as whooping cough, strep throat and urinary tract infections. Infections caused by viruses (such as cold, runny nose, sore throat) will not be cured by taking antibiotics. If you have a virus, ask your health care provider for tips on how to relieve symptoms and feel better. When you are in the hospital with a bacterial infection (such as a urinary tract infection), your health care provider will prescribe antibiotics. They may be changed depending on test results. Take antibiotics:
Tips for visitors
RememberYou are an important part of the health care team. What is the most important way healthcare workers prevent the spread of infection?Proper hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. If you are a patient, don't be afraid to remind friends, family and health care providers to wash their hands before getting close to you.
What is the #1 method to prevent spread of infection?Take action and practice hand hygiene often. Use soap and water or an alcoholbased hand rub to clean your hands. It only takes 15 seconds to practice hand hygiene.
What is the most important practice in preventing infection?Hand hygiene is the most important measure to prevent the spread of infections among patients and DHCP. Education and training programs should thoroughly address indications and techniques for hand hygiene practices before performing routine and oral surgical procedures.
|