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Staying Healthy In the Hospital

Simple steps to keep you from falling

Many medications, treatments and medical procedures can affect your balance and behavior. Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce falls while in the hospital.

Follow your nurse's advice about getting out of bed by yourself
Use the call button for help getting out of bed if you have:
- IV fluids, a catheter or other tubes
- Received medication that makes you drowsy or sleepy
- Received pain medication or a sedative
Use the bathroom call light to be escorted back to bed
Call the nurse if you feel sick, light-headed or dizzy
Wear non-skid slippers
Alert us to any spills on your floor

Antibiotic resistant and drug-Resistant Organisms

Antibiotics are drugs used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Sometimes these drugs will no longer kill the germs. This is called antibiotic drug resistance.

These so-called multidrug-resistant organisms are usually spread by contact with infected or colonized persons.

Prolonged or repeated hospital stays, the use of IV's, catheters, surgical and other medical procedures and treatment involving the use of large quantities of antibiotics pose increase risk of infection.

Chesapeake Regional has a set of stringent safeguards and procedures in place to protect our patients from exposure to multidrug-resistant organisms, yet it is important that every patient understands the risks of exposure and how to prevent it.

If you do become infected with multidrug-resistant organisms, your health care workers, family and friends must wear gloves and gowns, and wash their hands with soap and water or use alcohol cleanser before and after contact with you.

Proper hand washing with soap and water or the use of alcohol-based sanitizers is the best way to prevent the spread of germs.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask your nurse.

Quick Guide To Hand Washing

Wet your hands with warm water. Apply soap and scrub for at least 15 seconds. Wash the front and back and wrists, between fingers and under nails.
Rinse well. Let the water run down your fingers not down your arms.
Dry your hands with a paper towel.
Use your elbows or a new paper towel to turn off faucets.
If using the alcohol hand sanitizer use about the size of a cotton ball in your hand. Cover all parts of your hands and continue to rub until your hands are dry.

Once you're home

Not all of the precautions taken in the hospital are necessary at home. It is advisable for everyone to follow these basic hygiene guides:

Keep wounds and sores covered with clean, dry bandages. Soiled dressing should be placed in a plastic bag and placed in the regular trash.
Caregivers should wash their hands with soap and water before and after assisting in your care.
You should wash your hands thoroughly and frequently throughout the day.
Towels/washcloths should be laundered frequently using as hot a wash cycle as is compatible with the fabric.
Bed linen should also be changed regularly and laundered as above.
Do not share personal items such as towels, washcloths and razors.
Avoid skin-to-skin contact until any sores are healed.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have had an infection or colonization in the past.

Be alert for signs of infection

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following:

Drainage from a wound
Fever
Chills
Burning on urination
Very severe cough with sputum

Contact Information

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
736 Battlefield Blvd., North
Chesapeake, VA, 23320
757-312-8121
info@chesapeakeregional.com

ATTENTION!
In an emergency
CALL 911.

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