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Preventing Infection in Hospital: Rules for Companions and Visitors
What companions and visitors should do to protect hospital patients from infection: hand hygiene, visiting rules, isolation rooms and bringing food.
Contents
Hospital patients often have weakened immunity, and wounds, IV lines and catheters give germs an entry route. Hospital-acquired infections are therefore a key safety issue, and companions and visitors play an important part in prevention.
Hand hygiene: the most effective measure
| Moment | Why |
|---|---|
| Before entering the room | Not to bring germs in |
| Before touching the patient | To protect them |
| Before eating or feeding the patient | To prevent foodborne spread |
| After the toilet and pad changes | To prevent spread |
| After touching the bed or table | Not to spread germs |
| When leaving the room | To protect other patients |
Use alcohol hand rub for 20–30 seconds over all surfaces when hands are not visibly dirty; wash with soap and water for 40–60 seconds when visibly soiled or for certain diarrhoeal infections. Don't miss between the fingers, fingertips and thumbs.
Visiting rules
- Do not visit when ill with fever, cough, runny nose, diarrhoea or rash.
- Keep visits short and limit numbers.
- Plan children's visits with staff, especially for immunocompromised patients.
- Do not sit on the patient's bed.
- Do not touch IVs, catheters or drains.
Isolation rooms
Follow the instructions on the door: gowns, gloves or masks may be required; remove protective equipment in the correct order and clean hands; limit items brought in. Ask the ward nurse if unsure.
Food and flowers
Ask the nurse before bringing food, as there may be diet restrictions, fasting or swallowing problems; prepare home food hygienically and serve promptly. Some units (ICU, oncology, transplant) do not allow fresh flowers or potted plants.
The companion's own hygiene
Stay healthy and arrange a replacement if you become ill, keep belongings tidy and away from the patient's bed and table, and discuss flu and other recommended vaccines with your doctor.
At home after discharge, continue hand hygiene and clean wound and catheter care, and report fever, wound redness or discharge, or changes in urine.
We provide companions trained in infection prevention in hospitals across Yalova, with companions available in Bursa, Istanbul and Kocaeli–Gebze.
