7 Ways To Protect Yourself From A Dirty Hospital

Every year, over 80,000 people die in the US from infections contracted in dirty hospitals. Here are 7 ways to protect yourself. 1. Wash your hands frequently and don't be shy about asking doctors, nurses and aids to do the same. 2. Try to lose weight or stop smoking before having surgery. People who are overweight or who smoke are more susceptible to infection. 3. Wash with 4% chlorhexidine antibiotic soap at least 3 days before having surgery. 4. Ask your MD for a nasal swab test to detect MRSA. MRSA is short for the drug resistant bug, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. 5. Ask your MD to prescribe an antibiotic for you before surgery. 6. Ask your doctor to not to shave the surgical site. Instead, have the MD use hair clippers. Tiny cuts from razors can get infected. 7.Ask friends and family not to visit you in the hospital if they are ill. Then ask your doctor to limit the number of aides and medical students that enter your room. If you can't speak up for yourself, have a family member or friend do it for you.