Patient Guide
5 Ways to Fight Infections
The hospital is a place you come to get well, but you can also come in contact with germs that can make you feel worse. Reduce your chances of infection by taking these safety precautions.
1. Clean your hands.
- after touching hospital objects or surfaces
- before eating
- 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 your cough or sneeze.
Limit the spread of germs by sneezing and coughing into tissues you immediately throw away, and clean your hands right after. Ask the staff if you should wear a surgical mask to prevent the spread of germs. Even if you don’t feel sick, you could be carrying germs that can make others sick.
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 tell your nurse if you have a catheter or drainage tube that becomes loose or comes out.
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 alcohol-based hand sanitizer under your nails, between your fingers, and on the palms and backs of your hands. Rub for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice).
For Visitors
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.