Speak Up - Five Things You Can Do To Prevent ... - Joint Commission

Speak UPTMFive Things You Can DoTo Prevent Infection issupported byAmerican Hospital Associationwww.hospitalconnect.comAssociation for Professionals in InfectionControl and Epidemiology, Inc.www.apic.orgCenters for Disease Control and Preventionwww.cdc.govInfectious Diseases Society of Americawww.idsociety.orgThe Joint Commissionwww.jointcommission.orgSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of Americawww.shea-online.orgThe Joint Commission is the largest health careaccrediting body in the United States thatpromotes quality and safety.Helping health care organizations help patientsFive ThingsYou Can DoTo Prevent5Infection

2.4.Avoiding contagiousMake sure health care providersdiseases like theclean their hands or wear gloves.• Doctors, nurses, dentists and other health carecommon cold, strepproviders come into contact with lots of bacteriathroat, and the flu isand viruses. So before they treat you, ask themif they’ve cleaned their hands.important to everyone.• Health care providers should wear clean glovesHere are five easywhen they perform tasks such as taking throatcultures, pulling teeth, taking blood, touching woundsthings you can door body fluids, and examining your mouth or privateto fight the spread5.parts. Don’t be afraid to ask them if they shouldwear gloves.of infection.If you are sick, avoid close contactwith others.• If you are sick, stay away from other people orstay home. Don’t shake hands or touch others.• When you go for medical treatment, call aheadand ask if there’s anything you can do to avoidinfecting people in the waiting room.1.Clean your hands.• Use soap and warm water. Rub your hands reallywell for at least 15 seconds. Rub your palms,fingernails, in between your fingers, and thebacks of your hands.• Or, if your hands do not look dirty, clean them withalcohol-based hand sanitizers. Rub the sanitizer allover your hands, especially under your nails andbetween your fingers, until your hands are dry.• Clean your hands before touching or eating food.Clean them after you use the bathroom, take outthe trash, change a diaper, visit someone who isill, or play with a pet.3.Cover your mouth and nose.Many diseases are spread through sneezes andcoughs. When you sneeze or cough, the germs cantravel 3 feet or more! Cover your mouth and nose toprevent the spread of infection to others.• Use a tissue! Keep tissues handy at home, atwork and in your pocket. Be sure to throw awayused tissues and clean your hands after coughingor sneezing.• If you don’t have a tissue, cover your mouth andnose with the bend of your elbow or hands. If youuse your hands, clean them right away.Get shots to avoid disease and fight thespread of infection.Make sure that your vaccinations are current—evenfor adults. Check with your doctor about shots youmay need. Vaccinations are available to preventthese diseases:•Chicken pox• Measles• Tetanus• Shingles• Flu (also known as influenza)• Mumps• Diphtheria• Hepatitis• Meningitis• Whooping cough (also known as Pertussis)• German measles (also known as Rubella)• Pneumonia (Streptococcus pneumoniae)• Human papillomavirus (HPV)The goal of the Speak Up program is to help patients become more informed and involved in their health care.