Within medicine, cleanliness is almost above Godliness. Maintaining a clean, sterile environment is essential to reducing the risk of infection, keeping patients safe, and promoting faster and more effective healing. For these reasons, it is crucial to practice good hygiene in every area of the hospital, from the hands of surgeons to the sterile equipment during surgery.

Unless you are a dedicated doctor or another healthcare professional, most of the people who visit hospitals do so because they have become ill. These patients head to the hospital to restore their health and rebuild their strength. Unfortunately, the very place which is designed to save their lives could be a potential deathtrap.

Fighting infection is an ongoing battle within hospitals. There are three main ways that infection may occur and spread:

There is always a risk that patients may spread diseases to each other. It is also possible to pass something from patient to doctor, or vice versa. Most of the microbes savvy enough to survive in a hospital will also be resistant to conventional antibiotics, which can result in a potentially life-threatening illness for an already vulnerable patient. Good hygiene practices can help here.

Those patients who are in the hospital for some time are more prone to infection than those who are quickly consulted and released. Also, patients with compromised immune systems, such as the very young or old, HIV/AIDs patients, or those in renal failure will find themselves far more susceptible to picking up infections. They will also be more severely infected. 

Infection control is crucial here, and it includes maintaining strict hand washing policies among the staff, as well as the proper disposal of medical waste. To prevent cross-contamination, all tools and equipment must be thoroughly sterilized. This outcome is usually achieved through a heat sealing process carried out by an RD Medical converting company, suitable for use on bags and storage solutions, keeping all tools airtight until the moment they are needed.

There are many environmental elements to consider when reducing disease. Beds should be a suitable distance away from one another, and any patients who are suffering from contagious illnesses must be isolated to prevent the condition from spreading. All rooms should be well-lit with strong natural sunlight - a killer of many germs - and well aired and ventilated. Fresh, flowing air will help to prevent germs from concentrating and building up in a single area.

Patients, doctors, and visitors should practice good hygiene. This includes daily washing and maintenance of all hospital rooms with an antiseptic solution, and all linen and bed sheets changed on a regular basis to prevent the build-up of microbes. Any uniforms worn by staff must also be laundered, and any fluids such as blood, vomit, or urine should be cleaned and disposed of properly. 

For patients to fully recover in peace, it is essential to keep the spread of infection to a minimum. By observing basic practices, it’s easy to ensure the health and happiness of your patients;  it could even save their lives.