Each year, healthcare-acquired infections cost the healthcare system nearly $35 billion and kill nearly 99,000 people.
Tuscon.com detailed 10 strategies for patients to avoid HAIs.
1. Ask medical staff to clean their hands prior to treating you. Also, advise visitors to clean their hands even if they are wearing gloves.
2. Don't bring candy or flowers to admitted patients. Consider bringing a canister of bleach wipes instead and wipe down all surfaces.
3. If a physician advises a central-line catheter, ask if you can have an antibiotic-impregnated or silver-chlorhexidine coated line.
4. Select a surgeon with a low infection rate. All surgeons know their infection rates for various procedures.
5. Shower or bathe with chlorhexidine soap 24 hours before surgery.
6. Get tested for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at least one week before you go to the hospital.
7. Stop smoking.
8. Remind your physician you may need an antibiotic one hour before your incision.
9. Ask your medical staff to keep you warm during surgery.
10. Refrain from shaving the surgical site.
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