Patients and visitors can help us cut the spread of these infections by following a few simple guidelines.
Patients
Good hand hygiene in the hospital is very important – it prevents the spread of infection by reducing the build up of bacteria, which occurs naturally on hands.
- Wash your hands frequently - especially before eating and after going to the toilet;
- Use alcohol rub before entering and on leaving ward areas - it is available at the entrance to all wards and in clinical areas;
- Wear slippers when walking around the wards. This keeps your feet clean so that bacteria are not transferred from your feet to the bed;
- Do not sit on other patients' beds – this provides an ideal opportunity for bacteria to spread;
- Please ask visitors not to come if they are feeling unwell themselves. When they do visit you, please ask them no to sit on your bed.
Help us to keep the hospital clean by keeping your bedside area tidy. This allows our cleaning staff to keep the area dust free. If you see any dirt or dust around your bed, or if the toilet or bathroom is dirty, please report this to a nurse.
Tell staff immediately if:
- a dressing becomes loose
- a wound or intravenous drip site becomes sore or painful
- you believe they have not washed their hands or used alcohol rub
- they are not bare below the elbows when providing clinical care.
If a member of staff needs to examine you or perform a procedure, do not be afraid to ask if they have first washed their hands or used alcohol hand rub. If they are wearing gloves, check they have changed them before caring for you.
If you do not feel able to do this, but think that a member of staff may not have decontaminated his/her hands properly, please mention it to the ward sister/manager. Please note that hand hygiene after social contact such as shaking hands with you is not required.
In the unlikely event that you need isolated nursing in a single room or bay, please assist us in following the instructions given by staff. We have your best interests at heart and need to ensure the welfare of all of our patients.
Visitors
When visiting, please remember to:
- wash your hands or use alcohol rub when entering the ward and again before you leave
- sit on a chair, not the bed, otherwise you may transfer bacteria.
Please do not visit if you have any signs of infection such as diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, a cold, rash or skin infection.
If the person you are visiting is being nursed in isolation in a single room or bay, please contact the nurse in charge to find out if there are any precautions you need to take.
In general visitors do not need to wear protective clothing such as gloves or aprons, but please do wash your hands when leaving the room or bay.
