Patient Guide 5 Stop the Spread of Infection During your stay at MercyOne, you can help stop the spread of germs and infections by following these tips: ⬤ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue in the trash and clean your hands thoroughly. If no tissue is available, please cough or sneeze into your sleeve. ⬤ Wash your hands frequently using hand sanitizer or soap and water. — When using hand sanitizer, rub the sanitizer over all surfaces of your hands until they are completely dry. — When washing with soap and water, scrub your hands and wrists for at least 15 seconds before rinsing and use a paper towel to turn off the faucet. ⬤ Be empowered to ask your caregivers if they have cleaned their hands before coming into contact with you. ⬤ If family members or friends have symptoms of an illness or if they have been around someone with an illness, ask them to wait until they are healthy before visiting you in the hospital. ⬤ If you are in “isolation” because of an infectious disease, you and your loved ones should follow all precautions to prevent spreading the illness to others. — Everyone should clean their hands before leaving your room — Foam in/foam out with hand sanitizer — Signs will be posted on the door to let visitors and staff to follow precautions — Remind everyone, including visitors to clean their hands before leaving your room.
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