5 Ways to Prevent Infections
Despite sanitary requirements, infections are spread each day in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Most people wouldn’t think of the possibility of getting an infection while being treated at a hospital or healthcare facility for another illness. Unfortunately, this can happen. Infections can be spread through other people and things in our environment such as medical equipment and medical devices. This happens through physical touch, spray or splashes, inhalation and through poking from a sharp, such as a needle. However, there are things you can do as a patient and as a healthcare provider to prevent the spread of infections and disease. Here are 5 ways you can prevent infections:
Wash your hands. Make sure to wash your hands before eating or touching anything that comes in contact with you. It’s okay to ask your healthcare provider if they have sanitized their hands and also friends and/or family who come to visit.- Take medications as prescribed. Follow your prescriber’s instructions and be sure to take all of your medications.
- Wear gloves, masks, gowns, etc. when needed. It is important to follow the medical facility’s guidelines for when to wear protective gear when visiting a patient.
- Cover coughs and sneezes. Cough and sneeze into your elbow. Avoid using your hand.
- Stay up to date with vaccinations. Make sure to ask your healthcare provider if you are up to date with your vaccinations if you work in or frequent a healthcare setting.
For any concerns about preventing infections, be sure to check with your healthcare provider. Help prevent the spread of infections by taking part in these standard precautions for patient care.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/hai/patientsafety/patient-safety.html
https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/spread/index.html
https://medlineplus.gov/infectioncontrol.html
