Infection Control Summary Every year, lives are lost because of the spread of infections in hospitals. Health care workers can take steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. These steps are part of infection control. Proper hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. If you are a patient, don’t be afraid to remind friends, family and health care providers to wash their hands before getting close to you. Other steps health care workers can take include Covering coughs and sneezes Staying up-to-date with immunizations Using gloves, masks and protective clothing Making tissues and hand cleaners available Following hospital guidelines when dealing with blood or contaminated items National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Array After an exposure to sharps or body fluids Bloodborne pathogens Central line infections – hospitals Cleaning supplies and equipment Cleaning to prevent the spread of germs Isolation precautions Personal protective equipment Preventing infections when visiting Staph infections – hospital Specifics CDC Vital Signs: Making Health Care Safer — Stop Infections from Lethal CRE Germs Now Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Diseases and Organisms in Healthcare Settings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention FAQs about Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections Centers for Disease Control and Prevention FAQs about Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Frequently Asked Questions about Surgical Site Infections Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Frequently Asked Questions about Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Healthcare Settings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Types of Healthcare-Associated Infections Centers for Disease Control and Prevention VISA/VRSA (Vancomycin-Intermediate/Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in Healthcare Settings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related Issues CDC Vital Signs: Making Health Care Safer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Encourage Your Workers to Report Bloodborne Pathogen Exposures National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Hand Hygiene: When and How World Health Organization How to Be a Good Visitor to a Healthcare Facility Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology Infection Occupational Safety and Health Administration Infection Control in Dental Settings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infectious Disease Specialist: What Is an Infectious Disease Specialist? Infectious Diseases Society of America Laundry: Washing Infected Material Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Patient Safety Threat – Syringe Reuse Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Your Microbes and You National Institutes of Health Prevention and Risk Factors CDC Vital Signs: Making Health Care Safer — Protect Patients from Antibiotic Resistance Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Top 9 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Pneumonia If You or a Loved One Is Hospitalized Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases World Health Organization World Health Organization Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Infection Control National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Nosocomial (Hospital-Acquired) Infections National Institutes of Health Start Here Facts about Infectious Diseases (ID) Infectious Diseases Society of America Infection Prevention and You Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology Patient Safety: What You Can Do to Be a Safe Patient Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Preventing Infections in the Hospital National Patient Safety Foundation Videos and Tutorials Hand Hygiene Saves Lives Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Statistics and Research Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) Data and Statistics Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Journal Articles Infection Control Latest News Location Is Key to Help Hospital Hand Sanitizers Get Used HealthDay Hepatitis C Now Leading Infectious Disease Killer in U.S. HealthDay Seniors Often Bring Drug-Resistant Germs to Rehab Centers HealthDay
