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"It just happens..." or "It is nobody's fault..." are the usual statements you hear when you ask a doctor or a hospital administrator about infections. One might be left with the idea that if you or a loved one goes to the hospital and gets infected that it is merely a complication and maybe even inevitable. Betsy McCaughy, founder and chair of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths said "This is the next asbestos. Now that the evidence is overwhelming that nearly all infections are preventable, hospitals that do not follow the proven protocols are inviting lawsuits." The Committee's website has three excellent articles, complete with citations, that detail what you can do so the "inevitable" does not happen to you. In abreviated form they are: 15 STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
- Ask the hospital staff clean their hands before treating you and ask visitors to do the same.
- Before your doctor uses a stethoscope ask that it be cleaned.
- If you need a "central line" catheter ask if it should be an antibiotic-impregnated or silver-chlorhexidine coated one to reduce infection.
- If you need surgery, choose a surgeon with a low infection rate.
- Beginning at home before surgery buy and wash with chlorhexidine (aka hibiclens).
- Ask (demand) that you be tested for MRSA before you enter the hospital for treatment.
- Stop smoking well in advance of surgery.
- Remind your doctor about the benefits of prophylactic antibiotics before surgery.
- Ask the doctor or staff about what they will be doing to keep you warm during surgery.
- Make sure there are no plans to shave the surgical site.
- Avoid touching your hands to your mouth and be careful where you set utensils.
- Ask your doctor about sugar monitoring before, during and after surgery - especially if you are having cardiac surgery.
- Avoid having to have a urinary catheter placed if at all possible.
- If you have an IV make sure it is placed under sterile conditions and changes at least every 3 days.
- If you are having a Cesarean section follow all of the above.
The site also has a number of other lists of how athletes and students can avoid infections. All of the steps above are proven to decrease the chance of infection. Larger hospitals use epidemiology and quality assurance measures to make sure these steps are being taken. Sometimes, however, for whatever reason (money) these "enforcement" actions fall by the wayside and the hospital should be held responsible.
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