Abbeville Area Medical Center Participates in Protect Our Patients Initiative
Abbeville Area Medical Center is joining a nationwide initiative designed to inform hospital visitors about their role in infection prevention. Each year thousands of visitors enter our hospital’s doors to visit patients or accompany them as they receive emergency and outpatient services. AAMC has an opportunity through the “Protect our Patients” (POP) visitor information program to give critical education about the steps that should be taken to prevent the spread of infection.
The POP Program has been designed by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), through the support of a generous health education grant from The Clorox Company. APIC is the leading provider of infection prevention expertise and education, with more than 11,000 members whose primary responsibility is infection prevention and control.
AAMC plans to launch this program in May with posters and tent cards welcoming visitors and letting them know WE CARE. POP, Quiz and “Infection Prevention Continues at Home” brochures will also be distributed to reinforce the message that infection prevention is everyone’s responsibility.
Following are the basic WE CARE guidelines visitors will be asked to follow:
· Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before entering and when leaving the patient’s room.
· Expect AAMC staff to clean their hands before patient care. It’s okay to remind them if they forget.
· Cover your sneeze or cough with a tissue or your upper arm. Do not visit if you’re sick.
· Avoid touching anything used to care for the patient.
· Read and follow any instructions posted outside the patient’s room.
· Eliminate germs when the patient goes home by using disinfectants, such as sprays and wipes, to clean surfaces often.
“Abbeville Area Medical Center is committed to providing the best and safest patient care possible,” stated Laura Baughman, RN, AAMC’s Infection Control Manager. “Infection control is everyone’s responsibility and the ‘Protect our Patients’ program is an opportunity for us to educate the public about ways to reduce infections not only while they’re at the hospital, but also at home.”
If you would like more information about this program, contact Laura Baughman at (864) 366-3374. |