Infection control

If you are a patient | If you are visiting a patient | How to clean your hands

Addenbrooke’s is committed to providing high quality care in a clean and safe environment – this includes helping everyone to understand what we can do together as patients, visitors and staff to help fight infections.

Infections aren’t fussy about who spreads them, so we all need to be careful. Here are some simple things we can all do to help prevent the spread of infections…

Wash and clean your hands thoroughly and regularly:

• Wash your hands with soap and water every time you enter and leave a ward or clinic. This will help protect you against the winter vomiting bug
  
  
• Wash your hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet
  > How to clean your hands

If you are a patient

• Bring your own toiletries – please do not borrow or share from other patients
  
  
• It’s ok to ask – if you have any worries or concerns during your time in hospital, please speak to a member of staff who will do their best to help you

If you are visiting a patient

• Leave infections at home - please do not visit if you are feeling unwell. If you have recently had sickness and diarrhoea you must not visit until you have been free from symptoms for at least two days. Cover up any open wounds or cuts
  
  
• Do not sit on the patient’s bed - please us the chairs provided
  
  
• Do not touch patient’s wounds, bandages / dressings, or medical equipment
  
  
• Do not clutter – help staff to keep areas clean by only bringing essential items into the hospital and taking things home that are not required
  
  
• Do not use patient toilets on the wards, use the visitor toilets located outside the wards

How to clean your hands

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