Infection Control

While in the hospital, people may have a germ (bacteria or virus), that is considered “potentially contagious”. To minimize the risk of transmitting this germ to other people, the Hospital uses isolation precautions. For people in isolation, staff, families, and visitors will have to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in order to help prevent the germ from spreading to them. Signs are posted outside of rooms where this PPE equipment is needed to be used.

The use of this equipment is needed in the hospital, because most of our patients are immuno-compromised. This means their immune systems are less able to “fight off” infections like a healthy person can. People are required to wear certain Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), depending on the germ and the type of care the isolated person needs, in order to protect everyone.

Contact: Used when a germ is spread by hands, or items that the patient is in contact with. The equipment required by family, and visitors is Gloves and a disposable gown.

Droplet/Contact: Used for patients with a germ that causes respiratory illnesses. These germs are spread through coughing, sneezing, etc. If anyone is within 2 meters of a patient in Droplet/Contact precautions: a mask, face shield, gloves, and disposable gown is required.

Airborne: Used with germs that are spread through tiny droplets in the air. You will be required to stay in your room with the door closed. Visitors and family visitors may be restricted. The equipment required by family, and visitors is a mask, and may require more PPE depending on the germ.

Reverse: Used when the patient’s immune system is severely compromised, and they are at an increased risk of become ill from all germs. All Visitors and staff are required to wear a mask and wash their hands before visiting to protect the patient, due to the patients’ inability to fight off infection.

Cytotoxic: Used when the patient is taking specific medication/s that is/are Toxic if other people are exposed, for ex some Chemotherapy medications. All Visitors and Staff are required to wear Gloves and a disposable gown.

The nursing staff will teach this to family and visitors. Ask for help if you need it. Keep all inexperienced visitors safe by making sure all new visitors are trained by nursing staff on putting on and taking off the needed PPE.

• Remain in your room, unless a staff member is with you

• Do not enter other patient’s bed spaces (areas inside anyone’s curtains),

• Do not visit patients in other rooms

• Limit the amount of personal items you bring to the hospital

• Make sure people visiting are wearing their PPE

Hospital staff may explain that you have been colonized with an Antibiotic Resistant Organism (ARO). Examples of these germs are: VRE, MRSA, ESBL. If you have been colonized with any of these germs, there are things you and your family can do to minimize spread to other people of these germs:

• Wash your hands often especially; after toileting, after blowing your nose, and when your hands have been visibly soiled

• Use Cough etiquette: cover your coughs in your sleeve, or use a facial tissue- remember to wash your hands after

• If anyone is helping you with your personal hygiene, have them wash their hands after helping you

• Use a bleach based cleaner for general household cleaning

• Encourage anyone visiting to wash their hands before and after their visit, we suggest providing alcohol hand sanitizer at your front door for everyone to use

• Washing dishes, or clothing can be washed in a typical fashion

• Let your physician, paramedics, or people providing personal support/ care know that you have an Antibiotic resistant Organism (ARO). This helps to prevent spread to others, and to make sure you receive the correct antibiotic if you need some.