On "Good Morning America" this morning I was very impressed with the
procedures that we were told to do before having surgery.  I have personally
seen someone receive an infection from a well known hospital after surgery
due to unclean procedures.  Not only do you have to foot the bill for
continuing to stay in the hospital while getting well, these infections can
kill.    

(This is from the Committee to Reduce Hospital Infection Rates)

 

Some good tips for you if you are going to be having surgery are:

 

Ask that hospital staff clean their hands before treating you.

 

Beginning one week before surgery shower frequently using a chlorhexidine
antibacterial soap, (you can get at drug store) to get the germs off of you.

 

Before your doctor (or anyone) uses a stethoscope to listen to your chest,
ask that the flat surface of the stethoscope be wiped with alcohol.
Caregivers seldom take the time to clean them and they are often
contaminated with staphylococcus aureus and other dangerous bacteria.

 

If you need surgery, choose a surgeon with a low infection rate.  Surgeons
know their rate of infection for various procedures, so ask for it.  If they
won't tell you, choose another surgeon.  You should also be able to compare
hospital infection rates, although the industry has made it impossible for
most people to get that information.

 

Double check to see if you need and actually are given a preventive dose of
antibiotics within an hour before surgery.  Many surgical procedures require
a preventive dose of antibiotics - but it is often overlooked when staff is
busy.

 

Avoid a urinary tract catheter if possible.  It is a common cause of
infection.  Left in long enough, an infection is almost inevitable.  You
might be able to get along without one unless it is completely necessary for
medical reasons that you have one.  Many times staff does not have time nor
want to help you to the bath room.

 

If you must have an IV, make sure that it is inserted and removed under
clean conditions, and changed every three to four days.  If you really need
one, you have a right to insist on sterile conditions which means that your
skin is cleaned at the site of insertion and the person treating you is
wearing gloves.  

 

Ask your surgeon to limit the number of personnel (including medical
students) in the operating room.  Every increase in body count adds to your
risk of infection.

 

Do not shave any part of your body before surgery.  The razor can create
small nicks in the skin through which infection could enter.  If hair must
be removed from the surgical site, it is better to use clippers than a
razor.

 

It is impossible getting information on hospitals that have a low infection
rate, which is unfair to the public.  It may help hospitals save face, but
if won't save lives.  

 

Very interesting.