Patients in the hospital don’t expect that they are going to leave with a hospital-acquired infection; however, it is a real possibility if the workers aren’t taking steps to prevent them. It is imperative for all patients to keep a close eye on what is going on in their room when people are venturing in and out.
One thing that anyone who comes into your room should do is wash their hands right away. There is never an excuse for them to skip this step unless they are using surgical grade sanitizer that is often available near the rooms. It doesn’t matter if the person is a doctor, nurse, transport technician or orderly, they need to wash their hands. This can help prevent the spread of germs from one patient to another.
We know that many people don’t feel they should have to babysit the people who work for the hospital. In reality, you shouldn’t have to but in the interest of your own health, you should take the steps that are necessary to avoid coming down with something that is difficult to treat.
These hospital-acquired infections are often resistant to some of the more common drugs available. This is where the challenge comes in. Doctors have to try to find the best treatment course that has the fewest risks for each patient. Unfortunately, this might mean that you are stuck at the hospital even longer than you originally planned. This can increase the expenses that you incur due to the issue. Add in the missed time at work and you have a big financial impact for something that wasn’t your fault.
