Guide on Infection Control How do diseases spread? Diseases that are caused by germs such as bacteria and viruses are spread through: • Contact – When a person’s hand touches someone who has the disease. • Droplets – When an infectious person coughs or sneezes droplets containing viruses are produced. A person who is up to 2 metres away may then breathe in the droplets and become infected. • Airborne – When an infectious person coughs or sneezes very small particles containing viruses can be released into the air. These stay in the air for long periods so other people can breathe them in without being close to the infected person.
How can I protect myself and others? Keep your hands clean. This is the most important thing you can do to help stop the spread of infections. • All patient care areas have a sink with a soap dispenser. • Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are at the foot of each patient’s bed or at the entrance to their room. Always wash your hands: • Before and after visiting patients. • When arriving and leaving the ward. • Before and after preparing food or eating. • After using the toilet.
Take extra care if you feel unwell • Do not visit your loved one in hospital until you have recovered. • Consult a doctor if you do not get better. • If you are coughing or sneezing, wear a surgical mask to protect others. • Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw your used tissue into a covered waste bin. Wash your hands afterwards.
Other important pointers • Do not bring children to the hospital to visit as they can catch infections easily. • Keep to the visiting hours so that patients can rest and housekeepers can clean the wards. • Do not sit on the patient’s bed - use the chairs available in the wards. Thank you for doing your part to create a clean and safe environment for your loved ones.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities of the National Healthcare Group. Admiralty Medical Centre • (65) 6807 8000 • www.admiraltymedicalcentre.com.sg Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg The information is correct at the time of printing and subject to revision without further notice.
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