prevent hospital infections

Take Steps to Reduce Your Child's Risk

Superbugs

A superbug is a germ that causes a bacterial, viral or fungal infection, but doesn’t respond to usual treatments. These bugs make your child sicker longer and increase your child’s risk of serious complications. Common strains include MRSA, E. coli, C. diff and VRE. Superbugs spread from person to person by touching hands or objects. Learn how to protect your child with the prevention tips below.

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Germs enter the  urinary tract while using a tube to drain urine

• fever
  
• burning or pain in lower belly
  
• bloody or frequent urination
  

• clean hands before touching area
• keep urine bag below level of bladder to prevent backflow
• don’t tug, pull, twist or bend the tube
• secure catheter to your child’s leg and ask every day if it’s still needed
  

Surgical Site Infection

Germs affect the site of the surgery—either on the skin or internally

• redness
• pain
• drainage of cloudy fluid
• fever
  

• do not shave surgery site (irritation increases risk of infection)
• clean hands before touching area
• don’t let visitors touch or dress the wound
• ask the nurse to show you how to care for the wound
  

Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection

Germs enter the bloodstream through a large tube that's inserted in a vein near the neck, chest or groin

• red skin and soreness at site
• fever
• chills
  

• clean hands before touching area
• make sure staff wears gloves, gown, cap, mask and sterile drape when handling tube
• speak up if the bandage comes loose, looks wet or dirty, or if the skin looks sore
• do not let your child or any visitors touch the tube
• ask that tube be removed as soon as possible
  

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Germs enter the lungs through a tube in the mouth, nose or neck used to help your child breathe

• cough with mucus
• nausea and vomiting
• fever and chills
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
  

• clean hands before touching area
• ask if it’s safe to raise the head of the bed
• know how often the inside of your child’s mouth needs to be cleaned and speak up when it hasn’t happened
• ask that tube be removed as soon as possible