Consumer Reports Tips on Infection Control (for patients, friends and caregivers)

The first step in preventing hospital infections is using our The Consumer Reports Hospital Ratings to see whether hospitals in your area have made their infection rates public and, if so, trying to choose one with lower rates. If you don't have a choice, you can at least see how your hospital performs and, if it's not good, prepare yourself for being in aggressive in monitoring infection-control practices.

Specifically, patients, friends, and family members should insist that caregivers:

• Wash their hands with soap or an alcohol-based solution before touching a patient. They should also don sterile gloves before touching any catheters and check to see that dressings are in place.
• Follow the Pronovost checklist in cases where a central line is needed.
• Remove devices that enter the body, including central lines and urinary catheters, as soon as they're no longer needed.

This article was provided courtesy of Consumer Reports Health.Org