Infection Prevention and Control

 Preventing Infection

Our clinical expertise is reflected in our extremely low 2013 infection rates of

  • Overall infection rate of .3% (one infection per 333 inpatient days)
  • Surgical Site Infection rate of 0.56% (that is one infection every 179 surgeries)

The goal of our hospital infection control program is to prevent the spread of germs and disease. For this reason, our doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers often wear gloves, gowns, masks and/or plastic glasses. They should also use sanitizing foam or wash their hands each time they enter your room. If they don’t, you and your family should feel free to ask your caregivers to wash their hands.

Here are some additional recommendations to prevent from getting an infection while in the hospital.

  • Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after handling soiled materials, coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or using the bathroom.
  • Ask family and friends who have a cold, cough, fever, or other respiratory symptoms not to visit you in the hospital.
  • If you have a dressing over a wound or intravenous catheter (IV), do not touch these sites. Try to keep your hands clean and away from any bandages on your body, and tell your nurse if the dressing becomes soiled, wet or loose.
  • If you are a diabetic, talk to your doctor about the best way to control your blood sugar before, during and after your hospital stay. High blood sugars can increase your risk or infection.
  • Smoking increases your risk of developing a lung infection. Ask your doctor or nurse to provide you with information on smoking cessation programs.
  • Ask your doctor to avoid using a urinary catheter, if possible. If you need a catheter, ask your doctor to remove it as soon as possible. The catheter tube that drains urine from your bladder can be a source of infection.
  • Follow your doctor’s instructions about breathing treatments and getting out of bed. Deep breathing and activity can prevent lung infections.