Speak Up ™ To Prevent Infection
1 . Clean your hands ...
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer .
• Use soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty .
• Clean your hands before eating or touching food .
2 . Remind caregivers to clean their hands ...
• As soon as they enter the room .
• This helps prevent the spread of germs .
• Your caregivers may wear gloves for their own protection .
3 . Stay away from others when you are sick ...
• If possible , stay home .
• Don ’ t share drinks or eating utensils .
• Don ’ t touch others or shake hands .
• Don ’ t visit newborns .
4 . If you are coughing or sneezing ...
• Cover your mouth and nose .
• Use a tissue or the crook of your elbow .
• Clean your hands as soon as possible after you cough or sneeze .
• Ask for a mask as soon as you get to the doctor ’ s office or hospital .
• Keep a distance of about 6 feet between you and others .
5 . If you visit a hospital patient ...
• Clean your hands when entering or exiting the hospital .
• Clean your hands before going in or out of the patient ’ s room .
• Read and follow the directions on signs posted outside the patient ’ s room .
• You may be asked to put on a mask , gloves , a paper gown , and shoe covers .
• If sanitizer wipes are in the room , read the instructions . Some wipes are only for cleaning equipment and surfaces , and are not safe for skin .
• If you are unsure about what to do , ask the nurse .
6 . Get shots to avoid disease ...
• Make sure your vaccinations are current — even for adults .
• Help prevent diseases like the flu , whooping cough and pneumonia .
The goal of Speak Up™ is to help patients and their advocates become active in their care .
Speak Up™ materials are intended for the public and have been put into a simplified ( i . e ., easy-to-read ) format to reach a wider audience . They are not meant to be comprehensive statements of standards interpretation or other accreditation requirements , nor are they intended to represent evidence-based clinical practices or clinical practice guidelines . Thus , care should be exercised in using the content of Speak Up™ materials . Speak Up™ materials are available to all health care organizations ; their use does not indicate that an organization is accredited by The Joint Commission .
© 2018 The Joint Commission | May be copied and distributed | Department of Corporate Communications
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