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These days going into hospital can be an anxious time with all the stories of infections, but you can help to safeguard yourself or your loved ones by taking some steps to lessen your chances of getting an infection:-
· Before admission buy antibacterial wipes/soaps and washes from any high street pharmacy. Use them before, during and after your stay in hospital
· Use antibacterial wipes to wipe down surfaces such as bedside cabinets, telephone and any shared facilities
· Do not walk around in bare feet; ensure you wear something on your feet at all times. Dry between your toes after bathing.
· If on admittance the area around your bedside is dirty or dusty insist it is cleaned immediately
· If you have a question about your treatment or care, don’t be afraid to ask the healthcare team looking after you
· Ask your visitors to wash their hands before they come onto the ward and when they leave
· Politely ask staff to wash their hands before touching you if they have come from another patient, remind them to do it again before they move to the next patient
· Send back dirty plates and glasses
· Complain if bathrooms are dirty, insist they are cleaned
· Ask if equipment is clean and sterilised before a procedure, particularly drips and catheters
· Ensure nursing staff do not leave the same drips in place for longer than 3 days, ensure they are wearing gloves and following strict hygiene procedures when inserting. Do not tamper with drips or catheters
· Keep all towels and flannels separate for your own use
· Wash and iron any laundry you may have at 65o Laundry should be bagged and sealed if taking home
· Shore up your immune system with plenty of whole food, vitamin C, probiotics and zinc before you go in
· Do not put up with soreness or discomfort, or be afraid if you feel things aren’t right. Tell someone immediately and keep on telling them
· Do not be afraid to insist on these things, it is your right to safeguard yourself. Remember you know your own body and you know “what normal looks like” in your loved one
If you or a loved one have been affected by healthcare associated infection then there are a number of ways to gain accountability.
If you feel you have been treated unfairly or received inadequate treatment then you can use the NHS Complaints procedure or work with PALS to help you with some redress so that you can help by telling the hospital where they went wrong, and how to put it right in the future.
There are many ways you can help us with the campaign for safer standards. You can contact us and become a member. If you have any spare time we always welcome Regional Representation and other opportunities to become involved.
Chances of contracting all types of healthcare associated infections are reduced by maintaining good hand hygiene and not sharing personal items. In shared facilities (for instance, in gyms) it is good practice to use liquid soap and disposable towels, to place a towel on the bench before sitting, and to ensure the facilities are cleaned frequently and that there is good ventilation to the locker room and showers. Other simple measures are regular bathing/showering, regular changing of linen and underwear, hand washing, avoiding sharing personal items (eg toothbrushes, face cloths, towels) and keeping wounds covered. It is always good practice to maintain appropriate hygiene measures which include proper cleansing and disinfection of cuts and minor wounds. Wounds should be covered with a bandage until healed and individuals should avoid contact with other peoples' bandages and lesions. If the infection spreads or recurs go to your GP or Accident and Emergency for further investigation and/or treatment. Such spreading infection should not be ignored.
For a more comprehensive list of Healthcare Associated Infections and useful contact numbers, please e-mail us at info@mrsaactionuk.net or call us on 01623 556255.
