•       Prior to admission, ask your doctor if you need to be vaccinated against diseases that cause respiratory infections, including influenza and pneumonia.

•       If you're diabetic, be sure that you and your doctor discuss the best way to control your blood sugar before, during, and after your hospital stay. High blood sugar increases the risk of infection.

•       Let doctors and nurses know that you're concerned about preventing infections while receiving care.

•       Ask for hospital data.  If it's discrepant, ask your doctor about the hospital's infection control program.

•       Don't hesitate to remind hospital staff about keeping their hands clean while caring for you.  This includes washing their hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub before working with you

•       Ask anyone who is coughing to wear a mask or to stay more than six feet away from you.

•       Let your nurse know if your gowns and linens are soiled.

•       Before your doctor or nurse puts a stethoscope to your chest, ask that the diaphragm (flat surface) be wiped with alcohol.

•        If you have a dressing on a wound, let your nurse know promptly if it becomes loose or wet.

•        Ask your doctor to avoid using a urinary-tract catheter if at all possible.

•        If catheters or tubes are needed:

o     Ask your doctor to use one that's antibiotic-impregnated or coated with an antimicrobial agent. 

o    Make sure that it's inserted and removed under clean conditions and ask your doctor how often it should be changed.

o    Let your nurse know promptly if it becomes wet, loose or dislodged.

o    Make sure it comes out as soon as it's no longer needed.

•       If you're having surgery: 

o    Ask your doctor about showering with an antimicrobial agent for the week before the procedure.

o    Ask to be tested for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and treated, if necessary, prior to your procedure.

o    On the day of your surgery, remind the surgeon about any planned preventative antibiotics

o    Don't allow the surgical site to be shaven. If hair needs to be removed it should be done with clippers so there are no nicks in the skin through which bacteria can enter.

o    Ask your doctor about keeping you warm during surgery. Studies have shown your immune system is impaired if your body falls below 96.8 degrees.

o    Ask that your surgeon limit the number of people (including medical students) in the operating room. The more people who are present, the higher your risk of infection.

o    Ask your surgeon to monitor your glucose (sugar) levels during and after surgery. Patients with controlled glucose levels are better equipped to resist infection.

Take these additional steps only you can control:

·          If your child is in the hospital, bring his or her own toys.

·          If friends or relatives feel ill, ask them not to visit.

·          When visitors come, ask them to clean their hands in the same manner as hospital staff.

·          Clean your own hands in the same manner as hospital staff.

·          Do not set food or utensils on furniture or bed sheets. 

·          Pay attention to symptoms that may indicate an infection: unexpected pain, chills, fever, drainage, or increased inflammation of a surgical wound, and let your care team know. If any of these occur after you've been discharged from the hospital, contact your doctor right away. 

Finally, be persistent.  It all comes down to paying attention and having the courage to demand the best in cleanliness – the same as you do in demanding competence in your doctors and nurses.  

Healthcare improvement specialists concede that medical workers can sometimes be defensive when challenged by patients or their families.  A universal truth in good communication, however, is that how you say something can be as important as what you say. You can preface your requests or comments by telling them that you've been reading about all the work being done to prevent hospital infections.  You can let them know that your questions are about your commitment to being a part of your own healthcare team. 
  

Learn more about Hospital Acquired Infection:

Key Point 1: Of all illnesses, infections are among the most common cause of death in U.S. hospitals.  Hospital Acquired Infections are now recognized as a major cause of sickness and death. 

Key Point 2:  Hand washing by hospital staff, patients and visitors is an effective way to prevent hospital acquired infections.  Screening and environmental cleaning are very important but are not effective without hand washing.