When you or any of your family members is injured or becomes seriously ill, you go to the hospital. A hospital is a place where people go to get healed and saved. The last thing you would expect is how a hospital can also be a reason for your sickness.
Hospitals are a breeding ground for infections and many of these infections are becoming resistant to antibiotics. This is true even in good hospitals. This is why you should never be complacent. You have to be alert when you bring your kids and family to the hospital.
Learn how to keep yourself and your family protected from hospital-acquired infections by following these tips.
Take time to do some research about the hospital
Emergencies are inevitable and when they happen, people usually don’t have the luxury to select the hospital they prefer. They’d proceed to whichever is the nearest.
However, if time permits, it’s best to be familiar with the hospitals that have excellent practices in terms of cleanliness and sanitation. Use the internet to check nearby hospitals’ track records and hospital ratings.
If there’s a need to be admitted, check if your insurance policy will cover the cost for a private room. This will help reduce the risk of acquiring infections from other patients.
Follow regular and proper handwashing
Frequent hand washing remains one of the best ways to reduce the risk of infection. This is a very simple step and yet it is also often overlooked. Make it a habit to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Rub them thoroughly with soap and rinse well to get rid of germs and sickness-causing bacteria. Make your child and the rest of the family do the same.
Keep your hands off of your face
Hospitals do their best to maintain cleanliness and sanitation. However, germs and viruses are still present everywhere. From simple flu to chronic ones like pneumonia and other communicable diseases, patients come in and out of the hospital to get treatment for various illnesses. Some of those germs will inevitably be spread so be mindful of the surfaces you touch.
Keep your surroundings clean
In cases when you or any of your family members need to be confined in the hospital for treatment, be sure to keep your room and your surroundings clean. Disinfect the doorknobs, bed rails, and other things that may harbor bacteria. Also, don’t hesitate to request for room cleaning services if you feel the need for it.
Keep wounds covered
Open wounds are prone to bacterial exposure that could further result in infections. Therefore, make sure that wounds are properly covered to avoid infection and decrease exposure to germs.
Some hospitals have also adopted new techniques in keeping wounds covered for weeks without the need to open it. Waterproof dressings as well as skin glue are being used, instead of the traditional staples so that cover can stay on for one to three weeks.
Take antibiotics as prescribed and needed
If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, be sure to take them according to the prescription. Stick to your doctor’s instructions in terms of dosage and schedule. Don’t take more than is required or stop simply because you feel better. Otherwise, it will increase your resistance to other infections.
Be mindful of the objects and surfaces you touch
Whether you’re getting treatment in the hospital for yourself or a family member, always be mindful of the surfaces and objects you lay your hands on. If there’s anything that says don’t touch, then don’t touch. A lot of areas and spots around the hospital harbor bacteria and viruses which you can easily acquire if you’re not careful.
Make sure your child and the rest of your family follow the same precaution. Don’t take a chance on catching other illnesses because you keep touching stuff.
People get sick. It’s a reality of life. However, there are things we can do to reduce the risk of sickness and infections. Follow these tips and take the necessary precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones protected against hospital acquired infections.
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