Corporate Health & Wellness Specialist – PrognoHealth
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.a
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