How to Reduce the Risk of Hospital Spread Infections

Acquiring an infection is always a possibility upon admission to a hospital or when being treated in an emergency room. Hospitals are addressing this problem with better infection control policies, but there are things you can do to protect yourself. You are your own best advocate when it comes to your health and well-being.

Instructions

• 1

  Make sure all hospital personnel wash their hands after they enter your room and before performing any treatments. It's a good idea to have your visitors wash their hands upon entering and exiting your room. This is for their protection and yours.

• 2

  Ask your caregiver to clean the diaphragm of the stethoscope with alcohol before using it on you. Think about how many times this piece of equipment encountered other patient's throughout the day, each with varying degrees of illness.

• 3

  Speak with your physician about the need to shave your surgical site prior to surgery. It's best to use clippers or avoid shaving altogether, if possible. Microscopic abrasions and nicks from a razor can create a port for bacteria to enter the skin.

• 4

  Expect to receive an antibiotic at least an hour before surgery. This is a basic precaution used for almost all surgeries and many procedures. You should ask about it if you don't receive one.

• 5

  Eat a healthy diet and decrease your sugar intake to promote the healing. Elevated glucose levels can inhibit the healing process. You may want to ask your physician to check your levels while you're in the hospital.

• 6

  Keep your hands clean and keep them way from your mouth. Don't put your food, trays or utensils on the bed or furniture. Use the bedside tray for food and drinks and avoid placing urinals or bedpans on it after use. Ask someone to disinfect it after use for medical procedures at your bedside. Certain germs can live for days on surfaces in your room and spread infection to you through your mouth.

• 7

  Monitor your IV if you must have one. Most hospitals require that the site be changed every 48 to 72 hours. If the insertion site is red, sore or leaking, alert your caregiver. Make sure that the person inserting the IV washes her hands, puts on clean gloves and cleans the insertion site with a disinfectant (such as alcohol) before the procedure.