Infection prevention and control
We want to stop the spread of germs and infection for the health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff.
Hand cleaning is one of the best ways you and your health care team can stop infections from spreading.
It is important to clean your hands:
There are two ways to clean hands:
-
soap and water
-
alcohol-based hand sanitizer (which is found throughout the hospital)
If you cannot wash your own hands, please ask a member of your care team to help you.
Don’t forget to use a moisturizer to keep your hands from becoming dry or cracked.
Your health care team works hard to keep their hands clean. This plays a big role in stopping the spread of infection. Your care team is committed to providing safe, clean care.
There are many other ways that you can help stop the spread of germs:
Ask your friends and relatives to screen themselves before they come to the hospital.
Anyone with one or more of the following symptoms should not enter the hospital until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours (2 days):
- cough
- increased shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
- fever (a rise in the temperature of the body)
- sore throat
- stuffy nose
- diarrhea (frequent and watery bowel movements)
- vomiting (throwing up)
- skin rashes
If you start to have symptoms such as those listed above, please tell your care team right away.
Encourage your visitors to use the hospital’s public bathrooms and not bathrooms in patient rooms, especially if patients are on special precautions because of infection. Patients on special precautions will have signs on the door.
Ask your visitors to wear personal protective equipment if you or your roommate(s) are on special precautions. These can include gowns and gloves.
Children should not visit those patients who are on precautions, unless it has been cleared by Infection Prevention and Control.
Get vaccinated if it is recommended by your care team.
Flu and pneumococcal vaccines can help prevent illnesses. These can be especially important for elderly patients and patients who have higher risk.
We offer some vaccines to our patients.
If you haven’t been vaccinated or you’re not sure if you have, speak to your care team.
Cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve or a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Wash your hands afterwards.
Bring only items that you need into the hospital. This helps avoid clutter that makes your room difficult to clean.
Do not sit on other patients' beds or share toiletries with other patients.
If your family members or friends bring you refrigerated food, write your name and the date the food was brought in clearly on the package/container. Food more than 48 hours old will be thrown out.
You can talk to your care team or to the Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner at your hospital site for more information about preventing the spread of infection and about what you can do to help.