Infection control

 Staff, patients and visitors coming into our hospitals all have a part to play in infection control. It is important that the Trust’s infection control procedures are closely adhered to. You can help by following a few simple guidelines when visiting the hospital.

Information for visitors

  • Refrain from visiting patients if you have any illnesses such as vomiting and/or diarrhoea, coughs, coHand washinglds or flu-like symptoms and any infectious conditions e.g. chicken pox, mumps etc.
  • All visitors should wash their hands/use the hand sanitizer/gels before and after visiting.  Even if hands look clean, they can still carry harmful germs. So cleaning your hands properly helps to prevent the spread of infection. 
  • Limit your visit to two people for each patient at any one time.  If a patient is being nursed in an isolation unit or ward please DO NOT visit any other patients.  Speak to a nurse for advice.
  • Do not sit on beds or lie on beds or touch the patients’ wounds, drips or drains as this can spread infection.
  • Do not bring children to hospital in all but exceptional circumstances especially babies and young children under 13 years of age.
  • Keep the bedside locker tidy and clutter free and around the bed clear. Patients’ personal property should be stored inside the locker.  Relatives should take dirty laundry home as soon as possible.
  • Friends and relatives will be requested not to send or bring in flowers or unnecessary items, e.g. potted plants, cuddly toys, multiple bottles or outdoor clothing.
  • Restrictions to visiting may be put in place for infection prevention and control purposes on the recommendation of the Clinical or Infection Prevention and Control Team.

Information for patients

  • Keeping your hands and body clean are important when you are in hospital. Take personal toiletries including soap and a clean flannel with you.
  • Taking a container of moist hand-wipes with you will ensure you always have some available when you need to clean your hands.
  • Gentlemem should take their own razor with them so thay can shave.
  • Ensure you always wash your hands after using the toilet.
  • If you use a commode use a moist hand-wipe afterwards or ask for a bowl of water or hand-wipe if the nurse does not offer them.
  • Always wash your hands or clean them with a hand-wipe immediately before you eat a meal.
  • You should receive a moist hand-wipe on the meal-tray, but often people use it after they have eaten. Use it before you eat to ensure your hands are clean.
  • Hospital staff can help protect you by washing their hands, or by cleaning them with special alcohol rubs or gels. If a member of staff needs to examine you or perform a procedure, do not be afraid to ask if they have first washed their hands or used an alcohol rub or gel.
  • Try to keep the top of your locker and bed-table reasonably free from clutter. Too many things left on top make it more difficult for the cleaning staff to clean your locker and bed-table properly.

Please speak to the ward sister or charge nurse if you have any concerns.

Whether you are a patient or a visitor you can help us to prevent and control healthcare associated infections.  For more information please read our information leaflet for patient and visitors (pdf 330Kb), Acute and Community Hospital Visiting Policy, our effective handwashing technique poster (pdf 1Mb).

If you have any queries regarding infection control in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust please contact our Trust Headquarters on 0845 6012333.

Related information 
NHSCT Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention and Control Corporate Plan.
Northern Health and Social Care Trust Health Care Acquired Infection Assurance Framework June 2009
Infection Prevention Control (IPC) Delivery Plan 2009 - 2010