Hand washing!
Notice whether your caregivers have washed their hands. Speak up and remind them. Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infections.

• Wash your hands often, including before meals and after going to the bathroom.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing – use a tissue.
• Handwashing or hand disinfection is required of all visitors before and after visiting each patient.

Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette
To prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as colds and flu, please follow these control measures while you are in the hospital:

If you (patient, family member or visitor) are coughing or sneezing, please cover your mouth and nose, use tissues and wash your hands. Please ask a staff member for tissues if you need them and dispose of the tissues in the nearest trashcan.

During periods of increased cases of respiratory infections in the community, you may be asked to wear a mask if you are coughing or have other symptoms. Family members/visitors may be asked not to visit during these times in order to prevent the spread of these respiratory illnesses to patients.

Isolation Precautions
Special Isolation Precautions may be used for patients with certain diagnoses and/or infections.

These precautions are put in place to protect other patients, hospital staff, visitors and family members. A sign explaining the type of extra precautions will be posted on the door to the patient room. For some infections, such as flu, you will be asked to wear a mask while you are in the room.

If a patient is on contact precautions for an infection or history of an infection with a bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics (such as MRSA or VRE), anyone entering the room will be asked to wear a gown and gloves. Remove the gown and gloves and wash your hands before you leave the patient room.

In some cases, a mask or other protection may be placed on the patient when he or she is leaving the room for a test or procedure. Patients on special isolation precautions should NOT leave their room unless accompanied by a staff member or unless they are given special instructions. Patients and family members/visitors should always wash their hands before they leave a patient room.