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Guide to Being A Safe Visitor to Help Prevent Infections

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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) • Staphylococcus aureus or "staph" can infect wounds in the skin, cause pneumonia, or cause infections of the blood. • MRSA is a type of staph that cannot be killed by some of the antibiotics used to treat staph infections. • People commonly carry MRSA on their skin or in their nose without developing an infection. The chance of getting an MRSA infection from visiting a person who has MRSA is low. Still, MRSA can spread on equipment, room surfaces, and on the hands of healthcare professionals and visitors. Visitors should follow instructions carefully when they are visiting a patient who has an MRSA infection. • As a visitor, follow the Steps to Protect Patients and Yourself. You may be asked to wear a disposable gown and gloves during your visit. Before and after you use gloves, wash your hands with soap and water. Requirements for wearing gowns and gloves may vary by facility. Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) • Clostridioides difficile or "C. diff" (pronounced See-dif) is a germ that can cause severe diarrhea. Most cases of C. diff infection occur in patients who are taking antibiotics. While anyone can get C. diff, people who were recently in the hospital have the highest risk. C. diff can live outside the human body for a long time, in the bathroom, on equipment, on other surfaces, and on hands. • As a visitor, follow the Steps to Protect Patients and Yourself. You may be asked to wear a disposable gown and gloves during your visit. Before and after you use gloves, wash your hands with soap and water. Requirements for wearing gowns and gloves may vary by facility. Pediatric Patients Some pediatric patients – especially pre-term newborns – can get sick very easily. Caregivers and visitors should be up-to-date with their vaccines, meaning that they have gotten the vaccines recommended for them. Vaccinated caregivers and visitors protect vulnerable patients by "cocooning" them with their protection. Pediatric patients may not be able to follow instructions consistently. Caregivers may need to help them with the steps in this guide and any special instructions from the healthcare team.

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