Things You Can Do To Prevent Infections

Listed below are specific actions you can take to prevent infections in yourself or a loved one while being cared for in a hospital.

If you are a patient:

• Stop smoking well before any planned procedure (several weeks).  If you cannot stop, at least reduce smoking to a minimum and try not to smoke the day before your procedure.
• Keep your immunizations up to date, including having an annual flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccine, if recommended. 
• Any infection you have before the surgery should be treated and healed before you are admitted.  This will help your body to fight off any risk of postoperative infection.
• If you are having elective surgery, take a shower with an antimicrobial soap the night before and the morning of the procedure.  This will reduce your chances of getting an infection by reducing the number of bacteria on your skin.  Pay special attention to the surgical area.
• Do not shave the surgical area with a razor for at least one day before the procedure.  Shaving with a razor produces small nicks and cuts that can increase the chances of infection.
• Wash your hands with either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (Cal Stat) that is supplied throughout the hospital and in every patient room.  This is especially important  when you go into a room and when you leave a room.  You should also clean your hands after using the restroom, after sneezing or coughing (do this into your sleeve or elbow, not in your hands)
• Expect our healthcare providers – nurses, doctors, aides, anyone caring for patients– to clean their hands before touching you.  If you do not see this happening, please remind them.
• Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed for the full time prescribed.
• Do not ask for or take antibiotics for a viral infection.

If you are a visitor:

• If you are not feeling well, do not visit.
• Wash your hands with either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (Cal Stat) that is supplied throughout the hospital and in every patient room.  This is especially important  when you go into a room and when you leave a room.  You should also clean your hands after using the restroom, after sneezing or coughing (do this into your sleeve or elbow, not in your hands), and before touching the patient. 
• Follow the nurse’s instructions if the patient is on isolation precautions to help prevent the spread of infections. 
             Contact Precautions:  Wear gloves and a gown
             Droplet Precautions:  Wear a mask
             Airborne Precautions:  Wear a special mask (called an
                                               N95 orTB mask)
            Clean your hands with Cal Stat or soap and water when
            you leave the room

Contact Parkland’s Infection Prevention Department at 421-2296 for more information.