Download Reducing the risk of infection

Reducing the risk of infection
Information for service users, visitors and carers
RDaSH
Corporate Services
Introduction
Helping to reduce the risk of infection in
the hospital environment is everyone’s
responsibility. Our wards are very busy
places, caring for service users with a wide
variety of needs. Germs can be brought into
our wards by service users, visitors and staff.
Some germs, for example the diarrhoea
and vomiting virus or the common cold, can
then be spread to other people and other
parts of the Trust. Some service users will
be more at risk of getting infections than
others, but it is important that we have
good processes and clear procedures in
place to reduce the risk for everyone.
How are we reducing the risk
of infection?
Rotherham Doncaster and South
Humber NHS Foundation Trust takes the
prevention and control of infection very
seriously and it has a dedicated Infection
Control Team. All staff receive regular
training on infection control and are kept
up-to-date with how to protect service
users, visitors and themselves.
Hand hygiene is the most important
way to prevent infection. Staff should
be cleaning their hands before and
after providing any care or undertaking
procedures. Keeping the environment
clean is another priority. Standards of
cleanliness are regularly monitored
by our housekeeping team, nurses,
managers and modern matrons.
The Infection Control Team works very
closely with staff and helps to advise
2 | Reducing the risk of infection
where and how service users with
specific infections should be cared for,
depending on the type of germ or
infection concerned.
It is important that staff take precautions
to stop germs spreading. For this reason
staff will sometimes wear protective
clothing, such as aprons and gloves, when
caring for service users. This will be the
case whether they have an infection or
not.
Advice for service users
Do
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Remind members of staff if they
appear to have forgotten to clean
their hands before any hands-on
contact with you
Always wash your hands after using
the toilet and before eating
Use single-use tissues as they are
more hygienic than handkerchiefs
Wear slippers or shoes when walking
Keep any cuts covered with a
waterproof dressing
Ask your family and friends not to
visit if they are unwell
Tell a member of staff if you notice
any part of the ward or unit that is
not clean.
Do not
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Sit on other service users’ beds
Pick or touch wounds - try to avoid
touching them. If the dressing is loose
or soiled, tell a member of staff.
Advice for visitors
Do
Do ‘superbugs’ cause all of
these infections?
• Clean your hands carefully before and
after any hands-on contact with your
friend or relative
• Wash your hands after using the toilet
• Tell a member of staff about any areas
of the ward or unit that you feel are
unclean or not in a good state of repair
• Help the housekeeping team by
disposing of your rubbish in the bins
provided.
No. Many infections are caused by
bacteria that are normally carried in or
on the body. These bacteria usually cause
no harm, but can cause infection if they
get into a wound. For example MRSA
(Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus
Aureus) is a bacteria that is often
referred to as a ‘superbug’. It does cause
infections but, more commonly, people
carry it without any sign of infection.
Do not
Is Norovirus a ‘superbug’
• Visit if you have an infection yourself
• Visit in your uniform if you are a
healthcare worker
• Put your feet on, or sit on, the bed of
your friend or relative
• Bring any food into the hospital that
requires reheating or refrigeration. This
will limit the possibility of food
poisoning.
What types of infection can
occur?
Many different types of infection can
occur, caused by bacteria and viruses.
Infections such as urinary or respiratory
infections are the most common. Viruses
causing diarrhoea and vomiting are more
common during the winter months.
Serious infections, such as septicaemia
(blood poisoning) are rarely seen within
our Trust.
No. This is one of the viruses that causes
diarrhoea and vomiting or gastroenteritis.
It is common in the community,
especially in the winter. Outbreaks
occur in places like schools, nurseries
and nursing homes. It can spread easily
in hospital when people with the virus
are admitted and can sometimes result
in a temporary ward closure. It is very
infectious, but symptoms last only a few
days.
Further advice and
information
If this leaflet does not answer all of your
questions or concerns, please:
• Speak to the ward or unit manager
• Contact a member of the Infection
Control Team by:
Phone: (01302) 796237
Email: IP&[email protected]
• Contact the Patient Advice and Liaison
Service (PALS) on 0800 015 4334.
www.rdash.nhs.uk | 3
This information is correct at the time of publishing
Last Reviewed: August 2012
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