Why do I need to know about infection?
It’s important for you to understand what an infection is before you learn about the things that might put a person at a higher risk for getting one. An infection occurs when germs enter a person’s body and multiply, causing illness, organ and tissue damage, or disease.
Infection control prevents or stops the spread of infections in healthcare settings.
What is hospital associated infection (HAI)?
Germs are a part of our everyday life. They live in the air, soil, water and in and on our bodies. Some germs are helpful, others are harmful.
Infections are caused by microscopic organisms known as pathogens – bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites – that enter the body, multiply, and interfere with normal functions. Only a small portion of germs can cause infection during a hospital stay.
Impact:
HAIs cause sickness and prolong your hospital stay.
Risk:
Healthcare procedures may expose you to germs that cause HAIs. These germs can spread between patients, healthcare providers, staff and visitors through unclean hands and improper use or reuse of equipment.
Preventing infections is in your hands
A few simple precautions can help you avoid getting sick with an infectious disease:
Why is hand hygiene important?
Regular handwashing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. Germs from unwashed hands can be transferred from objects like handrails, table tops, or toys, to another person’s hands. Therefore, good hand hygiene helps prevent diarrhea and respiratory infections and even skin and eye infections.
How do you perform hand hygiene?
When to perform hand hygiene?
Cough and sneeze etiquette
Infections can easily spread when you have a respiratory infection. Coughing and sneezing can transmit germs to others through the air or by contaminating nearby surfaces. Therefore, it is crucial to adhere to the steps below to effectively prevent the spread of infection:
In our hospital, isolation precautions are strictly followed to prevent the spread of Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDROs) among vulnerable patients, many of whom may have severe underlying medical problems and are at increased risk of infection.
Surveillance such as screening for MDROs on admission to hospital is key to reducing the development and spread of infections. Early detection of high-risk patients allows early isolation. This reduces the opportunity for transmission if a patient is colonised or infected. Conducting surveillance to monitor MDRO trends over time also allows the assessment of control measures.
Keeping the environment clean and good hand hygiene practice by all staff, patients and visitors can minimise the risk of widespread transmission.
All staff are required to wear gloves and gowns or aprons when attending to patients, and wash their hands with soap and water or use alcohol gel before entering and upon leaving the room. It is very important that patients wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after visiting the toilet and before eating (our staff will assist patients if needed). Patients are advised to avoid touching any wounds or medical devices such as intravenous drips or catheters.
Having an MDRO infection will not affect patient’s discharge and they will be discharged home when their general condition allows.
