Infection Control

HealthEast infection control works with doctors, nurses and other staff to decrease the risk of infection for hospital patients.

How germs are spread

Germs are a fact of life. Some live on places we touch, like telephones, and others live in or on our bodies. Most germs are harmless and we don’t even know they are there.

The most common way germs are spread is by touch.
We pick up germs when we touch people or things. If hands are not clean, germs can easily spread.

Some germs can spread from place to place when people cough or sneeze.
To keep germs from spreading to others, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or mask when coughing or sneezing.

To prevent the spread of germs

Hand hygiene is the most important thing we do to prevent germs from spreading. Hand hygiene includes washing hands with soap and water or using waterless alcohol gel.
Gloves, gowns or masks are sometimes used by caregivers to prevent the spread of germs.

How patients can help prevent infections

Perform hand hygiene before eating, after touching any soiled items and before you leave your room. Hand hygiene is especially important after you have gone to the bathroom.

It’s OK to ask your caregivers for assistance in doing hand hygiene or to ask them if they have performed hand hygiene before caring for you.
If you have a dressing on a wound or intravenous catheter, keep the skin around the dressing clean and dry. Tell your nurse if the dressing is loose or gets wet.
If you have a catheter or drainage tube, let your nurse know if it becomes loose, dislodged or if the area near the catheter becomes red or painful.
Tell relatives and friends not to visit if they have a cold or fever. Suggest that they come when feeling well or call on the telephone.
Some illnesses require additional precautions. If needed, a precaution sign may be placed outside your room. It does not identify your illness, but gives staff and visitors instructions they are to follow to prevent spread of infection.

Visiting a hospital patient

If you’re sick, it is best to wait to visit you until you feel better.
Perform hand hygiene when you arrive. This will help protect patients. Perform hand hygiene again when you leave the room. This will help protect yourself and others.
If the person you are visiting has a sign for extra precautions on the door, read it and follow the instructions. If you're not sure about what you need to do, ask a nurse before entering the room.

If you have questions

If you have questions, please ask your nurse or doctor. You can also contact Infection Control with questions. Ask your nurse for help contacting Infection Control.

Infection Prevention and Control at Home

Always wash your hands before eating and after using the bathroom.
Don’t eat raw or under cooked meat, chicken or eggs.
Clean cutting surfaces used with raw meat/poultry.
Wash fruits and vegetables.
Don’t share personal care items (razors, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, towels).
Don’t use others’ plates, utensils or drinking glasses.
Keep immunizations up to date and get a flu shot every year.
Don’t take antibiotics if you don’t need them. Antibiotics treat infections caused by bacteria, not viruses.