Infection Prevention and Control
Infection Prevention and You
HDGH is a mask-friendly environment. We respect the choice to wear a mask to keep the patients and yourself safe. Masking for all will still be required if visiting a patient in additional precautions or on a unit in a Respiratory Illness Outbreak
Ways You Can Protect Your Loved One
Stay home if you have a fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, rash or just not feeling well. This will protect our patients and help to not delay a patient's recovery
Visitors washing their hands prevents the spread of germs and bacteria that could lead to the patient developing infections and other complications
Wearing the PPE that is posted on the sign on the patient’s door frame protects the visitors from contracting an illness and bringing any germs or bacteria home.
Patient/Family fridges can be found in kitchenettes or in dining rooms in each patient care area. They are available for use by patients and families by labeling your food and drinks with: 1) your initials; 2) your room number; 3) the date the item was placed in the fridge. Please read and follow the guidelines posted on each fridge.
Thank you for doing your part to protect our patients.
To contact an IPAC team member call ext. 73877
You are an Important Part of Infection Prevention!
Wash your hands with hand sanitizer or soap and water before entering and exiting a room, before eating/drinking, and after using the bathroom. Ask your healthcare workers and visitors to do the same.
Cough and sneeze etiquette. Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands.
Remind your visitors to stay home if they feel sick.
Keep personal items in your bedside table and don’t touch others belongings.
Don’t touch wound dressings or medical devices unless trained to do so.
Tell a member of your healthcare team when you feel unwell.
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) are infections that are acquired in a healthcare setting.
- MRSA-common skin bacteria spread through unwashed hands or contaminated surfaces
- VRE-a bacteria that lives in the bowels that becomes resistant to an antibiotic Vancomycin. It is spread through direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surface i.e. Toilets
- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection-germs travel along the urinary catheter and cause an infection in your bladder or kidney
- Surgical Site Wound Infection-infections that occur on the body where the surgery took place
- Pneumonia-infection of the lungs
- Bloodstream Infection-germs enter the body by way of a catheter or tube that is placed in your veins
For more information on HAIs call ext. 73877
What is Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC)?
What is Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC)?
- The IPAC team consists of Infection Control Practitioners who use their skills and knowledge of best practices to find bad germs and make sure everyone is doing the right thing to keep you safe.
- Call us anytime with questions or concerns about Infection Prevention & Control at ext. 73877
Infection Prevention and Control Training