Infection Control & Prevention

Glendale Memorial Hospital is committed to preventing the spread of infection and assisting you in avoiding contagious diseases. We have developed processes, based on regulations, to ensure your safety and encourage your participation in your care and treatments.

Hand-Hygiene

Your most powerful defense against infections is proper hand hygiene. Once germs are on your hands, they can get inside your body through a break in your skin or when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Your hands may look clean, but germs are there. The best way to stop the spread of germs and infection is to perform hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water for 15 seconds or using hand sanitizer and rubbing until dry.

Glendale Memorial provides hand sanitizers in the main lobby as well as outside patient rooms. 

Coughing and Sneezing

  • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
  • Use tissues to contain respiratory secretions and dispose of them in the nearest no-touch waste receptacle after use. Tissues are available throughout the facility.
  • Perform hand hygiene (e.g. washing hands with soap and water or using a hand sanitizer (this) is what is used in hand-hygiene section). Hand sanitizers are alcohol-based products available in dispensers conveniently located throughout the facility.
  • If you are coughing or sneezing, a mask will be provided to you upon request.
  • Sit at least three feet away from others when coughing to help prevent the spread of respiratory infections.

Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs)

Multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) are bacteria that cannot be treated with standard antibiotics. These bacteria are in the community and in hospitals. They are commonly found on the skin or in the nose and can cause serious wound infections in some patients. The most commonly found MDROs are methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) and clostridium difficile (C Diff). The most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of MDROs is washing your hands.

Isolation Precaution Information

The staff at Glendale Memorial Hospital have many protocols in place to help prevent the spread of infection. There are standard precautions that are taken for all patients. However, if a patient has a condition that can be passed from person to person, Glendale Memorial will put them in “isolation.” This means additional precautions are taken by the patient and anyone who comes into the patient’s room. There are several types of isolation precautions, depending on the patient’s condition. Your nurse will discuss these with you. Patients who have certain situations, such as Central IV Lines, Foley Catheters, Ventilators, Surgical procedures, Anticoagulant Therapy, and MDRO’s will receive in-depth education.