Preventing infections
To prevent infection, practise frequent and proper hand washing:
- When you enter and exit a patient’s room;
- After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose;
- After touching your face;
- After handling soiled material or money;
- After using the toilet.
When using an alcohol-base hand sanitizer:
- Apply the product to the palm of your hand;
- Rub all parts of your hands, fingers and nails;
- Continue rubbing until your hands are dry;
- You can use a hand sanitizer on a regular basis; however, use soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty or after going to the washroom.
Caution! The product is flammable. Do not use near open flames.
When washing hands with water and soap:
- Wet hands with warm water;
- Apply soap;
- Scrub all parts of your hands, fingers and nails for 15 to 20 seconds;
- Rinse your hands with running water;
- Dry your hands with a disposable towel;
- Turn faucets off using the disposable towel;
- Discard the towel;
- Use a clean disposable towel to open the bathroom door and discard it afterwards.
Do not visit a patient if you:
- Are sick;
- Have a cough or fever;
- Have unexplained skin eruptions (spots, redness);
- Have skins lesions that cannot be covered;
- Have had diarrhea or vomiting within the past 48 hours.
Visitors must not use patient washrooms.
