CDC: Tips for being a safe patient

Summary

Did you know you can get infections in healthcare settings while being treated for something else?

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) can spread from person to person, through hands, medical equipment and more. HAIs are becoming more resistant to antibiotics and antifungals, making them difficult, and sometimes impossible, to treat.

Patients and their loved ones can help prevent HAIs, including those caused by antimicrobial-resistant germs. These tips from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describe how to be a safe patient and help reduce your risk of infections.

Content

What you can do to be a safe patient‎:

1. Tell your healthcare provider about any recent care.

2. Tell your healthcare provider if you think you have an infection or if your infection is getting worse.

3. Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed and tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects, such as diarrhoea.

4. Remind staff and visitors to keep their hands clean.

5. Allow people to clean your room.