Hand Washing
Washing hands properly makes a difference.  The hands are home to many germs and are a major means of germ transmission.  Wash your hands frequently.  Visitors and patients should wash their hands:

• after coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose
• before and after eating
• after using the restroom
• after petting an animal
• if the hands are visibly dirty or contaminated
• immediately after contact with body fluids (blood, saliva, etc.)

Always use soap and water if the hands are visibly dirty or contaminated.

Use this hand washing technique:
1. Remove any jewelry
2. Use warm water
3. Angle hands downward
4. Apply soap and lather well
5. Scrub well for at least 10-15 seconds – it is friction that removes germs
6. Be sure to wash under nails, around cuticles and between the fingers
7. Rinse hands angled downward
8. Dry hands with a paper towel
9. Use a new paper towel to turn off the faucet

In addition to soap and water you will see foam dispensers at various locations in the hospital. This is an alternative method for washing your hands. Try this method for foam:

1. Pull nozzle forward to dispense foam into hands.
2. Rub hands together until dry, covering all surfaces of hands and fingers.

MRSA
MRSA, or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a germ that is resistant to the treatment of many antibiotics.  People at risk include the elderly, patients from long term care facilities, those with frequent hospitalization, or those with open wounds or tubes/devices going into the body.

MRSA can cause either infection or colonization.  Colonization, when the patient is not showing signs or symptoms of infection, usually does not require treatment.  If you are admitted to certain areas of the hospital, per state guidelines, you will be screened for MRSA.  If results are positive, you will be placed in critical isolation for the duration of your stay.

All patients with MRSA will be placed on Contact Precautions during their admission.  Any patient readmitted to the facility with a history of MRSA will require Contact Precautions.  Upon readmission, patients will be screened for MRSA.

VRE
VRE or Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci is a germ that is resistant to the treatment of many antibiotics.  People at risk include persons with weakened immune systems, persons who have had many antibiotics, those with extended hospitalizations, or those with tubes/devices going into the body. 

VRE can cause either infection or colonization.  When the germ is present, but the patient is not sick, then the patient may be colonized.  Colonized patients do not always need antibiotics.  All patients with VRE will be placed on Contact Precautions during the admission.  Any patient readmitted to the facility with a history of VRE will require Contact Precautions and screening for VRE.

Clostridium Difficile or C. Diff
C. diff is a germ that is normally found in the digestive tract.  Many cases of C. diff are caused by antibiotics, which are used to treat other infections in the body.  The antibiotics change the normal make-up of bacteria in the digestive tract, causing the C. diff to grow more than expected.

People at risk include patients on long-term antibiotic therapy, the elderly, women, patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, those with inflammatory bowel disease or renal disease, and those persons who are hospitalized.  Treatment for C. diff may simply require stopping current antibiotic therapy.  If the patient is unable to stop current antibiotic therapy, additional antibiotic therapy with drugs which are not known to cause C. diff symptoms, may be prescribed.  All patients with C. diff will be placed on Contact Precautions while having loose stools. 

Respiratory Infection Precautions
Anyone with a respiratory infection should practice the following:

•  Cover the nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing
•  Use tissues to contain respiratory secretions
•  Dispose of tissues in the nearest waste receptacle
•  Perform hand washing after contact with secretions or contaminated material.

Standard Precautions
There are standard precautions that include washing of hands and wearing gloves when in contact with patients and body fluids. These precautions apply to ALL patients to help control the spread of infection. There are additional precautions that may be needed to protect you and your family. The nurse will inform you about these precautions if necessary.

Contact Precautions
Contact Precautions help prevent the spread of germs and are used for certain infections that are easily spread by contact. These germs are not carried through the air.

Visitors and healthcare providers should:

• Always wear gloves
• Wear cover gown when coming in contact with the patient or environment
• Remove gloves and gown before leaving the room
• Wash hands after removing gloves and gown.

A stop sign will be placed outside the room instructing visitors to see the nurse before entering.

Vaccinations
Your nurse will ask you about your vaccination status for pneumonia and influenza (September to April). Depending on your responses, you may be eligible to receive the vaccines while in the hospital. For further information, contact our infection control practitioner at ext. 6596 or 609.584.6596.