Two million patients are infected in hospitals each year and more than 90,000 patients die. Do you think we can find a cure?
As hospitals work harder to stop infections, bugs become more resistant to to antibiotics. Some studies suggest that hospital acquired infections are the 8th leading cause of death in the United States. This is ridiculous because the spread of infections can be prevented if our hospitals and health care providers consistently implement necessary precautions.
If you or a loved one is in a hospital, demand that the following infection precautions are followed:
1) if you are going in for surgery, shower with chlorhexidine soap;
2) insist that catheters and IV lines not be overused;
3) if catheters and IV lines must be used, demand that they be used for as little time as necessary and the sites be monitored for signs and symptoms of infection. In addition, demand that the catheters and IVs be checked and changed frequently;
4) demand that your health care workers wash their hands frequently;
5) demand as few health care workers as you can get by with. You do not want too many different aides or students taking care of you;
6) Ask for an appropriate antibiotic to be given before surgery;
7) Don’t let a doctor or nurse shave a surgical site before surgery – tiny razor clippings can infect the site. Use hair clippers.
8) Keep surgical sites dry and clean; and
9) Ask your doctor for a screening nasal nose swab test for MRSA;
For more information information, see www.stophospitalinfections.org
