Care For PA

Whether you're reading the newspaper, watching television, or surfing the web, you've likely heard some news about "infections.�? Whether it's a germ that's resistant to antibiotics, unwashed hands, or even the SARS outbreak a few years ago in Asia, keeping germs at bay is not impossible. There are several things you can do to join your health care provider in the fight against infection.

The best way to treat an infection is prevention. Below are several ways you can prevent an infection (as well as prevent the spread of colds, flu, and other diseases) by adhering to common-sense tips, understanding your risk factors, reviewing reports and studies, and talking with your caregiver.

Adhere to Prevention Tips

Even when you're well, clean your hands before touching or eating food. Clean them after you use the bathroom, take out the trash, change a diaper, visit someone who is ill, or play with a pet. In addition, many diseases are spread through sneezes and coughs. When you sneeze or cough, the germs can travel three feet or more. Cover your mouth and nose to prevent the spread of infection to others.

When you're ill, avoid close contact with other people. Stay home if you have a fever. Call work or school and tell them you are sick. When you go for medical treatment, call ahead and ask if there's anything you can do to avoid infecting people in the waiting room.

If you're in a hospital, make sure health care providers clean their hands and wear gloves. Doctors, nurses, dentists and other health care providers come into contact with lots of bacteria and viruses. So before they treat you, feel free to ask them if they've cleaned their hands. Also, ask friends and family who are ill to avoid coming to the hospital, and for family and friends who do visit, they should wash their hands upon arriving at the hospital.

Here's more prevention tips:

• Tips for Safer Surgery (pdf)


• 4 Things You Can Do to Prevent Infection (pdf)


• Tips for Students and Athletes (pdf)


• Institute for Healthcare Improvement's "100,000 Lives Campaign�? resources for consumers (pdf)

Know Your Risk Factors

Though most people's bodies are generally able to fight an infection, there are certain people whose bodies are weaker and more likely to get an infection. These people need to use extra caution to avoid germs and infections. Consult with your health care provider if you or any family member fall into any of these categories:

• Are very sick or have had surgery


• Are very young (premature babies and very sick children)


• Are very old (frail and the elderly)


• Have chronic medical conditions (respiratory, heart, diabetes)


• Have suppressed immunity (diseases that compromise their immune system or people who are being treated with chemotherapy or steroids)

Review Reports and Studies

There are numerous reports and studies available that provide information about specific health care quality areas, including infection. In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (also known as PHC4) has released several public reports on infection rates in the state's hospitals. These types of reports not only help caregivers and lead to better care, but also can help consumers play a greater role in their own health care by providing them with information that they can use in talking with their doctors or nurses and to help in making informed health care decisions (see related article, "When Used Wisely and with Other Resources, Health Care Quality Reports and Studies Can Aid in Knowledge, Decision-Making�?). Seek out multiple sources to gain the best perspective and then sit down with your health care provider to discuss the information and see how it applies to you and your particular health care situation.

Here's more reports and studies:

• Hospital Compare


• Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council


• Quality Check

Hospitals' Commitment to Safe, Quality Care

Preventing infections is only one part of hospitals' commitment to safe, quality care for all Pennsylvanians. You can learn more about what Pennsylvania's hospitals are doing by reading "State, Regional, and National Hospital Quality and Patient Safety Initiatives Demonstrate Commitment to Quality.�? To learn more about your role in improving hospital quality and patient safety, read "Everyone Has a Role in Improving Hospital Quality and Patient Safety.�?

Here's other helpful resources:

• The Pennsylvania Department of Health's "Public Health Information Clearinghouse�?


• Quality Insights of Pennsylvania's Consumer Resource Area


• Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority "Tips for Consumers�?

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