Infection control

Information for patients and visitors

We are committed to protecting our patients, staff and visitors from the risk of health care associated infections. Health care associated infections are infections acquired in hospitals, or as a result of healthcare treatments. Examples include diarrhoea, vomiting, MRSA and Clostridium difficile.

Everyone has a role in reducing the spread of infection. It is important that patients, staff and visitors work together to reduce the risk of infections, and to maintain a clean and safe hospital environment.

As a patient you can help by:

• washing your hands carefully with soap and water after using the toilet and before meals (staff tshould also wash their hands before having direct contact with you)

• only bringing essential items of property when coming into hospital

• keeping your room / bed-space tidy and uncluttered so that domestic staff can clean more easily

• makeing sure personal toiletries are for your use only, and are stored in your roomavoid using bars of soap - use the provided liquid soap insteadexpect your room to be cleaned daily

• telling the nurse in charge if you are concerned about cleanlinesslet staff know immediately if you have diarrhoea or vomiting.

As a visitor you can help by:

• washing your hands before and after visitinguse alcohol hand-gel where available

• avoid visiting if you are unwelltry to keep your visits to a minimum if there is an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting on the ward you are visiting, - the Ward staff will advise you

• not bring food into the ward without arranging this with the nurse in charge

• telling the nurse in charge if you are concerned about cleanliness.

For more information please contact:
The Infection Control Team
Tel: 020 3228 2182