How you should clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

1. Put sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol on hands and rub hands together.
2. Cover all surfaces until hands feel dry.
3. This should take around 15-20 seconds.

How you should clean your hands with soap and water

1. Wet your hands with warm water. Use liquid soap if possible. Apply a nickel- or quarter- sized amount of soap to your hands.
2. Rub your hands together until the soap forms a lather and then rub all over the top of your hands, in between your fingers and the area around and under the fingernails.
3. Continue rubbing your hands for at least 15-20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under running water.
5. Dry your hands using a paper towel if possible. Then use your paper towel to turn off the faucet and to open the door if needed.

Speak up for clean hands

Members of your healthcare team should perform hand hygiene. Protect yourself by asking questions:

1. Clean your own hands and ask those around you to do the same.
2. Don’t be afraid to use your voice: it’s ok to ask your healthcare provider questions, such as:
   • “I didn’t see you clean your hands when you came in, would you mind cleaning them again before you examine me?”
   • “I’m worried about germs spreading. Will you please clean your hands once more before you start my treatment?”
3. Ask your loved ones to clean their hands too: “I saw you clean your hands when you arrived some time ago, but would you mind cleaning them again?”

Gloves

Disposable gloves protect everyone. They are to be used only one time and then discarded. If a glove tears while putting it on, throw it away and use a new one. You should wear = gloves when touching:

• Blood
• Body fluids (urine, stool, vomit)
• Mucous membranes (such as the inside of the mouth)
• Wound drainage
• Soiled dressings
• Soiled linens or clothing

Avoiding Contamination

Keep hands free of contamination when removing gloves.

1. Remove the first glove by holding it just below wrist. Be sure to only touch the glove— not the skin on the wrist or arm.
2. Pull the glove down over your hand, which turns it inside out.
3. Continue to hold the discarded glove in your gloved hand. Slide two fingers from your ungloved hand under the wrist of the glove still on your hand. Do not to touch the outside of the glove.
4. Pull the glove down over your hand, which turns it inside out. Hold onto the glove by grasping the clean inside surface of the glove. The first discarded glove will now be inside the glove you just pulled off.
5. Discard gloves in trash.
6. Perform hand hygiene.

Cleaning Tips

Not all cleaners and disinfectants work the same. Read the label and follow the instructions. The label will tell you what germs it works for, and how much and/or how long surfaces need to be “wet” to be effective.

• If you choose to use bleach, use it safely. Never mix it with other cleaning products, especially those that contain ammonia. This mixture can create a dangerous gas. Do not use chlorine-based disinfectants on urine spills.
• If surfaces are visibly soiled, clean the surface first following the disinfectant label instructions and then disinfect. Maintain proper movement of fresh air in your home.
• Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces in close proximity to the patient and frequently touched surfaces in the patient’s environment.
• Pour dirty mop or cleaning water down the toilet, not the sink.
• Pet areas, including litter boxes, birdcages and fish tanks, should be kept very clean. Persons with weakened immune systems should have someone else take care of pet areas.
• Discourage people who have infectious illnesses, such as colds or the flu, from visiting. 

Handling Soiled Clothing & Bedding

• Wear gloves if laundry is visibly soiled.
• Avoid shaking soiled laundry in the air, which can spread germs.
• Wash laundry as promptly as possible after soiling.
• Place soiled clothing or bedding in a separate container or trash bag until ready to wash

Biomedical Waste Red Bag

Biomedical waste is defined as any solid or liquid waste that may present a risk of infection to
humans. These include:

• Used, absorbent materials saturated with blood, blood products, body fluids, or secretions or excretions contaminated with visible blood, whether wet or dried.
• Non-absorbent disposable devices that have been contaminated with blood, body fluids or secretions or excretions visibly contaminated with blood. 

Disposal of Needles

• Dispose of needles in a provided sharps container that is an unbreakable, puncture-proof container that has a closable lid.
• Do not replace caps on needles.
• Do not overfill the container -- fill no more than 2/3 of the container
• Your nurse will dispose of the container when it is full or it is no longer needed.

Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotics aren’t always the answer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antibiotic resistance is one of the most urgent threats to the public’s health. Antibiotic resistance happens when germs, like bacteria and fungi, develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. That means the germs are not killed and continue to grow. When a patient needs antibiotics, the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects or antibiotic resistance.

When Antibiotics Are Needed

Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria, but even some bacterial infections get better without antibiotics. We rely on antibiotics to treat serious, life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia and sepsis, the body’s extreme response to an infection. Effective antibiotics are also needed for people who are at high risk for developing infections. 

When Antibiotics Are NOT Needed

Antibiotics do not work on viruses, such as those that cause colds, flu, or COVID-19. When antibiotics aren't needed, they won't help you and the side effects could still cause harm. Common side effects of antibiotics can include rash, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and yeast infections. More serious side effects can include severe and life-threatening allergic reactions and Clostridioides difficile infection (also called C. diff) which causes severe diarrhea. Any time antibiotics are used, they can cause side effects and contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance.

What You Can Do To Feel Better

If you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed. Talk with your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your antibiotics, or if you develop any side effects.