TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR CARE continued 5 WAYS TO FIGHT INFECTIONS
As a patient, you are part of the healthcare team. While you are in the hospital, there are several patient safety steps to help protect you from infection.
1. Clean your hands. n
after touching hospital objects or surfaces n before eating
n after using the restroom
2. Ask hospital staff members to clean their hands. This should be standard practice, but don’t be afraid to remind them if they forget or to ask them to wear gloves when touching you. Ask visitors to clean their hands, too!
3. Cover if you are sick. If you get an infection, limit the spread of germs by sneezing and coughing into tissues you promptly throw away, and avoid touching other people. Ask the staff if there is anything else you should do—like wear a surgical mask—to prevent the spread of germs.
4. Keep an eye on bandages or dressings. If a dressing on a wound or IV becomes loose or wet, let your nurse know. Also if you have a catheter or drainage tube, tell your nurse if it becomes loose or dislodged.
5. Keep your vaccinations up-to-date. Make sure you are as protected as possible from the spread of infection. Check with hospital staff about whether it’s safe for you to receive any vaccines you might need.
CLEANING TIP:
Use soap and water or hand sanitizer under your nails, in between your fingers, and on the palms and backs of your hands. Rub for 15 seconds (the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday).
Tell friends and family not to visit if they are sick. And make sure
all your guests wash their hands when they enter your room.
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