Infection Prevention and Control
To prevent the spread of infection STEGH has an active Infection Prevention
and Control Program. The primary goal is to prevent the spread of infection to
our patients, staff and others. Any visitor with an illness may be requested to
leave, as they may pose a risk to others.
On admission, you will be asked if you have any infections that require special
precautions which may include a recent fever, cough, vomiting and/or diarrhea,
influenza. Please direct any questions pertaining to any infection to your Nurse
or Physicians.
Some conditions may require that you be placed under Infection Control
precautions to prevent the spread of illness or prevent further spread to
yourself. If your condition requires Infection Control precautions, an isolation
sign will be posted that identifi es the required protective equipment (gown,
gloves, and possibly mask/goggles) to be worn by all upon entering and while
visiting in the room. Upon leaving, the protective equipment must be removed,
and hand hygiene completed. These steps are repeated any time an individual
enters or exits your room. It is recommended that children not visit patients in
isolation unless they are able to follow the isolation sign. If you are in
isolation, your visitors are asked to refrain from visiting other patients
during the same visit. To ensure the privacy of our patients and clients, we
will not share the diagnosis of a person in isolation but will assure the public
that by following the isolation sign, the patient and visitors are not at risk.
Hand Hygiene
Research shows that cleaning your hands is the single most effective way to reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections. Hand hygiene involves everyone in the hospital including all staff, healthcare providers and visitors. It is okay, and we encourage you, to ask any staff associated with your care if they washed their hands. All visitors and clients are also asked to protect themselves and others by completing hand hygiene before and after any test, and/or visit.
Your Privacy Is Important To Us
St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital is committed to keeping your personal and
health information safe and confidential. To provide you with quality health
care, we collect personal and health information from you, such as your name,
date of birth, address, health insurance numbers, health history, the records of
your visits to the hospital and what health care we provided to you. Our full
Privacy Policy is available on our website at www.stegh.on.ca or a print copy by
request. When necessary, we do share personal and health information with health
care providers at other hospitals, health care agencies, nursing homes, etc. who
become part of your health care team for the purpose of your continuing care. We
may also provide personal information to Hospital consultants, and professional
advisors to assist with providing care to our patients. What we share with these
agencies is bound by law. If you have any questions or concerns about how we
collect and share your personal or health information contact the Privacy Offi
cer, St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital at: (519) 631-2030 ext. 2450, or Email:
privacyofficer@stegh.on.ca
Electronic Patient Record
St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital is one of nine hospitals in the
region moving towards the electronic patient record to provide better patient
care. Authorized healthcare professionals can access and share an electronically
secure and confidential personal health record from any of the nine sites,
including lab results and digital images, when necessary.
Identification Bracelet
When you are admitted, an identification bracelet (I.D.) bracelet will be placed
upon your wrist by admitting staff. This bracelet must be worn at all times.
Please inform your nurse if your name or other information is incorrect. If you
have allergies, an additional red bracelet will be placed on your wrist to alert
staff. Additional bracelets may be placed on you or your family member to
enhance patient safety. If you have questions about these, please speak to one
of the nurses.
Consent Forms
Patients having operations and some other procedures will be asked to sign a
consent form. If you have questions about the consent form please speak to your
health care provider proposing the treatment and they will explain the consent
and answer your questions so you can make an informed decision. continued next
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Smoking
Smoking is not allowed in the Hospital. If smoking outside, you must do so in
one of the three designated areas on the property. These areas are located in
the East parking lot (east of the hospital main entrance), outside of the
Emergency department (grassy area with picnic table) and the Gazebo outside the
Atrium. If you plan to leave the hospital for a cigarette, please ask for
permission from your Nurse first.
Hospital Watch/Security
This program helps protect people and property. Immediately inform a staff
member about any lost or missing items or personal safety concerns. Fire Drills
Fire drills are held on a regular basis as part of our staff education program.
If you hear a fi re alarm, do not worry. Wait for a Nurse to give you
instructions.
Safety Tips For Hospital and Home
• Inform staff of all medications (prescription, over the counter medication,
vitamins, herbal supplements, etc.) that you are taking. Bring a detailed list
(or the bottles/packages).
• While in hospital, do not take your own medications unless instructed by
staff.
• Always back into a chair. DO NOT sit down until the backs of your legs touch
the chair. Reach back with both hands to support yourself and ease yourself down
slowly.
• Use your walking aid properly.
• ALWAYS wear FOOTWEAR that fits properly and has firm non-skid soles before you
get up.
• Ask for help if you feel weak, dizzy or lightheaded when trying to get up.
• Ensure you have items of importance within reach.
• Ask for help if you need it. Staff can assist you in learning ways to reduce
your chances of having a slip/trip or fall.
• Get up slowly after eating, lying down or resting. Low blood pressure at these
times may cause dizziness.
• Do not grab onto anything for support unless you know it is stable.
• Push off the bed, chair, toilet or commode with two hands, do not pull
yourself up.