Beware of Hospital Acquired Infections

Hospital-acquired infections are infections that are acquired by a patient during his/her stay and soon after discharge from the hospital. These infections usually occur within 48 hours of admission and up to 3 days after the discharge. The infection can originate from the outside environment, another infected patient, or visitors.

Common Hospital Acquired Infections

• Urinary tract infection (kidney and bladder infections)

• Surgical site infection (an infection that occurs at the site of a surgical cut

• Pneumonia (cough, chest pain, fever, and breathing problems)

• Gastroenteritis (diarrhea, vomiting, fever)

Such infections need to be prevented as they can cause further pain and stress to the patients This will ensure the well-being of patients and also help them recover quickly.

Here are a few do's & don'ts to follow in order to avoid common infections.

DO'S

• Patients and visitors should wash their hands before and after using the toilet.

• Limit your stay in the patient's room to 15-20 minutes.

• Wear a mask and gloves before entering a patient's room.

• Children below the age of 12 should not visit hospital patients.

• Don't visit anyone in a hospital if you are sick.

DON'TS

• Visitors should avoid using the patient's toilet.

• Do not use perfumes when visiting a patient.

• Do not cough and sneeze into the air using a tissue or handkerchief.

• Don't bring outside food and drinks into the hospital.

• Avoid physical contact with the patient and medical equipment.