University Hospital Sharjah - Prevention and control of Infection

What to do if you have any concerns about Infection Control?

We welcome your feedback and if you have any concerns please speak to the; • Department or Unit Head • Infection Control Team

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF INFECTION SPREADING AWARENESS IS PREVENTING INFECTION

For any queries or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact: Infection Control Team Ph: +971 065051861 Email: kristine.gabasan@uhs.ae

For more d e t a i l s c a l l + 9 7165058555 or v i sit w w w.u h s . a e

FROM SHARJAH

FROM SHARJAH (AL WAHDA RD) SH MOHAMMED BIN ZAYED RD

UNIVERSITY CITY

UNIVERSITY ST.

MEDICAL COLLEGE

AUS

SHARJAH AIRPORT ROAD

FROM AJMAN

FROM DUBAI

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL SHARJAH welcomes you to a healing environment that offers great patient care by preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases.

Let us start by understanding a little more about infection and hygiene.

Infection is the invasion of the body by a pathogen such as a bacterium, fungus, or virus. It can be localized or widespread and is often accompanied by fever and an increased number of white blood cells.

HOW TO HAND WASH?

HOW TO HANDRUB?

WASH HANDS WHEN VISIBLY SOILED! OTHERWISE, USE HANDRUB

RUB HANDS FOR HAND HYGIENE! WASH HANDS WHEN VISIBLY SOILED

Duration of the entire procedure: 40-60 seconds

Duration of the entire procedure: 20-30 seconds

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Hand hygiene, also termed as hand disinfection, helps to remove dirt, grime, germs, food and body substances such as blood, from your hands.

Communicable disease is an infection that can be transmitted from any infected person to another. Examples of these include: Bird flu, Cholera, Respiratory Tract Infection.

HOW DOES INFECTION SPREAD? Most communicable diseases are caused by viruses and bacteria that spread easily through direct and indirect contact. Direct contact involves touching someone who is carrying the infection. Indirect contact is a result of coming into contact with objects or things that an infected person has touched or used.

These germs can be in the air from coughs and sneezes, on utensils, on doorknobs, personal items, telephones and other contaminated surfaces.

Wet hands with water; 4

Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces; 5

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Palm to palm with fingers interlaced;

A. Hand washing using the sink using antimicrobial soap and water (available in all washroom areas)

B. Alcohol hand rub (hand sanitizers are available throughout the area especially in all rooms for visitors and staff).

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Always remember to wash your hands:

Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa;

Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa;

Rinse hands with water;

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Use towel to turn off faucet;

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Rub hands palm to palm; 5

9 Right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers and vice versa;

Dry hands thoroughly with a single use towel;

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Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked;

1. PERSONAL HYGIENE

THERE ARE TWO WAYS OF CLEANING YOUR HAND

Apply a palmful of the product in a cupped hand, covering all surfaces; 3

Right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers and vice versa;

1b

Rub hands palm to palm;

Following are the ways to control and prevent the spread of infection: Good personal hygiene is the most important way of reducing germs associated with the spread of infections. Hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the transmission of any infection.

1a

Your hands are now safe.

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Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa;

Palm to palm with fingers interlaced; 7

Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa;

Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked; 8

Once dry, your hands are safe.

• Before and after meals • After using the toilet or commode • After smoking, coughing, sneezing and after touching mouth, eyes, nose and ears • Before and after visiting the hospital

3. ADVISE FOR PATIENTS:

4. ADVISE FOR VISITORS:

To protect you and other patients from contracting an infection, you may be asked not to leave your room or visit the cafeteria if you have one or more of the following:

Visitors play an important part in preventing the spread of an infection by:

*Please do not hesitate to approach and inform our members of staff to replenish hand gel, soap or hand towels when previously emptied.

• An infection that could be passed on to other patients e.g. diarrhea and or vomiting.

“PREVENTING INFECTION IS IN YOUR HANDS”

Always inform the nurse if you develop diarrhea and or vomiting, or if you experience flu-like symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, running nose, body aches, headache, fatigue or chills.

2. ADVISE FOR STAFF: • Report sickness which may pose a risk to patients and colleagues.

• Must not go to clinical areas especially those with a rash.

• Know what immunizations are available and whether you are up to date.

• Discuss prevention tips with colleagues, patients, relatives and attendants.

• An infection that means you have to be cared for inside the room.

COUGH OR RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE: • Cover your cough and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

• Discard your used tissue in the waste bin.

• Wear a surgical mask to protect others.

• Wash your hands with soap and water or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.

• Clean your hands using hand sanitizer or washing your hands using bactericidal soap before entering and leaving the hospital ward or unit.

• Look for any infection control signs in the ward areas and not wandering into other rooms.

• Wearing a mask or clinical overalls if advised by the nursing staff.

• Using the chairs available and not sitting on the patient’s bed.

• Avoid visiting the patient if you have symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting or rash.

• Avoid visiting the patient if you have been in contact with an infected person without first checking with a member of staff.