What are hospitals and doctors doing to decrease the rate of hospital-acquired infections?
Well I think the key thing is hand washing. We’re doing a lot, for example, at our hospital. We have the sanitizer dispensers at each patient’s bed, and that makes it easier for people to be compliant. Better use of isolation for patients who are already infected is important as well. They are put in a separate room, and anyone who enters has to put on a gown and gloves, even if they’re just going to be talking with the patient. Q: What else can be done? A: I think one of the most important things that’s occurred is the team-based approach to safety. We used to count on individuals to do the right thing on their own. Now we encourage staff to encourage each other to follow safety guidelines. So a nurse is empowered to say, “I noticed a break in technique, let’s start over with a new catheter.” Then safety becomes a part of the culture. Q: Can patients do anything to protect themselves from infections during a hospital stay?
