Be Infection Aware
Be Infection Aware
While it is not possible to prevent all infection, we are focused on preventing the transmission of infections by using robust systems. Good hand cleaning practices by both staff and patients and maintaining a high level of cleanliness is important to reduce the spread of infection.
You can protect yourself from infection and help prevent the spread of infection.
Prior to your Admission
- Inform the admissions office if you develop vomiting or diarrhoea or any respiratory symptoms (cough, fever, sore throat etc.) within 48 hours of your planned admission.
- Inform your Consultant prior to your admission if you have been previously advised that you are a carrier of an antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This will not affect your admission or your procedure, but it will allow the hospital to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread to other patients, for example, you would be nursed in a private room with your own toilet and hospital staff would be required to wear gloves, apron, or gown.
During your Stay
- Clean your hands regularly and use the hand sanitiser gel. Always do this after you go to the toilet and before you eat.
- Do not share your personal things with other patients – for example, your phone, your earphones, etc.
- Keep away from other patients’ beds.
- Do not let anyone sit on your bed, and do not sit on another patient’s bed.
- It’s OK to remind staff to clean their hands.
- It’s OK to tell a staff member if you see anything that is not clean.
During your hospital stay, you may be more vulnerable to picking up a healthcare associated infection. Healthcare-associated infections are infections that can you pick up in any healthcare setting such as during a hospital stay, treatment in outpatient clinics or a stay in a nursing home. Some healthcare-associated infections can be caused by your own bacteria - bacteria that is harmless for healthy people, can cause infection in patients with a reduced or weakened immunity. Other infections are caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria or ‘superbugs’, for example, Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE), Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) or Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDRO). You may pick up these infections in hospital from contact with other patients, or from contact with hospital staff and equipment. If you have had a lot of antibiotics, you may be more prone to developing an antibiotic-resistant bacteria infection.
After your discharge
- Follow any instructions with regard to wound care in order to prevent infection at home.
- Take medication as prescribed.
