It’s the time of year where there are a lot of bugs around, so here are some ways to avoid getting ill or spreading an infection to others.
Infections spread quickly this time of year, and we’d like to avoid our patients catching something else to worry about. A lot of infections spread through contact with someone who has a virus, touching something that has the virus on it or eating something handled or prepared by someone who has an infection.
A lot of viruses are most infectious in the first 48 hours of symptoms starting.
The good news is our visitors can do a lot of easy things to help us stop the spread of infections to our patients and those around you when you leave one of our hospitals.
Before you visit a patient
If you’ve had symptoms such as feeling unwell, vomiting or a fever, we ask that you wait at least 48 hours before visiting a patient as you might still be harbouring germs.
Once you arrive, please wash your hands with soap and water before coming on the ward. A fact is that hand gel is not good enough for protecting you or others when there are various infections going around.
Need the bathroom? Please use any of our public facilities on the site, rather than using the toilets on a ward. You never know – you might be carrying something and not have any symptoms. Please ensure you remember to wash your hands thoroughly this protects you and others
If you’re planning on bringing latex balloons, plants, or flowers onto a ward we ask you leave them at home. Have them as a welcome home present, rather than a get well soon gift. This is because they can cause allergies for other patients and pass on unknown infections to those you have come to see. Also your loved ones will probably appreciate them a little bit more when they are starting to feel better.
During a ward visit
A patient may ask you to bring the whole family. Right now we ask that you plan the visit so there is no more than two people by their bed at any one time. Also when you are there, please avoid sitting on their bed and use one of the chairs provided.
Facemasks
If you’re asked to do so, please wear face masks where there are face mask signs. Staff in those areas will also be wearing masks for a good reason. When you wear a facemask, please avoid touching your mask, nose, or mouth as this can easily spread infections
If you choose to wear a mask in any of our other areas, we support your right to do so.
What our staff are being asked to do as well
It’s not just our visitors we’re asking to take extra steps, our staff are also stepping up to help stop spread infections. They are trained to spot those with an infection and isolate them from others who do not have it. They’ll run more frequent tests looking for infections and sharing precautions to take with patients and visitors.
They’ll also be wearing more protective clothing such as face masks, aprons and gloves and ordering more thorough deep cleans when needed.
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