Infection Control

Every year, lives are lost because of the spread of infections in hospitals. Health care workers can take steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. These steps are part of infection control.

Proper hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. If you are a patient, don't be afraid to remind friends, family and health care providers to wash their hands before getting close to you.

Other steps health care workers can take include

• Covering coughs and sneezes
• Staying up-to-date with immunizations
• Using gloves, masks and protective clothing
• Making tissues and hand cleaners available
• Following hospital guidelines when dealing with blood or contaminated items (NIH)

Also called: Universal Precautions

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Infection

The invasion and growth of germs in the body. The germs may be bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, or other microorganisms. Infections can…

Infarction

A localized pathological necrosis of tissue resulting from obstruction of the blood supply usually by a thrombus, an embolus, or vascular…

Infantile rickets

A condition in children in which bones become soft and deformed because they don’t have enough calcium and phosphorus. It is caused…

Infantile Refsum Disease

A genetic disorder characterized by abnormalities in the breakdown of phytanic acid. It results in accumulation of phytanic acid in the blood,…

Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

A very rare form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. During the first six to eighteen months of…

Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy

A rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the PLA2G6 gene. It is characterized by the development of swellings called…