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 vaccinations
• 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

Patient Handouts

• After an exposure to sharps or body fluids Medical Encyclopedia
• Bloodborne pathogens Medical Encyclopedia
• Central line infections – hospitals Medical Encyclopedia
• Cleaning supplies and equipment Medical Encyclopedia
• Cleaning to prevent the spread of germs Medical Encyclopedia
• Isolation precautions Medical Encyclopedia
• Personal protective equipment Medical Encyclopedia
• Preventing infections when visiting Medical Encyclopedia
• Staph infections in the hospital Medical Encyclopedia

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

Videos and Tutorials

• Clean Hands Count Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Infection Control National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Nosocomial (Hospital-Acquired) Infections National Institutes of Health

Specifics

• 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
• Patients: Information about CRE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Healthcare Settings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• VISA/VRSA (Vancomycin-Intermediate/Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in Healthcare Settings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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

Related Issues

• First Responders: Encourage Your Workers to Report Bloodborne Pathogen Exposures National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Hospital-Wide Hazards: Biological Hazards — Infectious Diseases Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• How Infections Spread Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• How To Be A Good Visitor During Flu Season Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
• 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
• Patient Safety Threat – Syringe Reuse Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Statistics and Research

• Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Data Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Journal Articles

• Infection Control

Prevention and Risk Factors

• 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