Infection Control

Haliburton Highlands Health Services takes your care and your safety very seriously, and we are committed to transparency and continuous improvement. Keep reading for more information about infection control at HHHS.

For specific information on C. difficile, MRSA, and VRE, please visit the 'related pages' listed on the right-hand side of this page.

Handwashing is still the best protection against infection

As a patient, resident, or visitor, washing your hands is the best way to fight the spread of infection. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. It is a good idea to ask everyone - your health care team and visitors – to wash their hands.

Visiting the Hospital

Patients who are in hospital may be vulnerable to infection. It is important that you follow the hand hygiene guidelines that are posted around the hospital. Please keep yourself and others safe by using the hand-wash provided at the Hand Washing stations, not visiting if you are unwell and refrain from having contact with other patients. We ask that you do not visit if you have any of the following symptoms:

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection including cough, sore throat, runny nose and/or fever

Fever within the last 24 hours

Conjunctivitis (eye infection or pink eye)

Chicken pox, shingles, measles or mumps

Infectious rashes or concerns of possible transmission of a communicable disease

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms please see your doctor and/or delay your visit until the symptoms have gone

While flowers, young visitors, and home-baked goodies spread cheer, they may not be allowed. Always check first with the nurse on duty.

Follow special precautions, if necessary

If the person you are visiting is on “isolation precautions”, talk to the nurse before entering the room to find out what steps you will have to take, such as wearing a mask or other protective clothing.

Don’t contribute to the clutter

Limit the patient’s personal items. Less clutter eases the critical job of cleaning hospital rooms. Keep patient items off the floor and away from waste containers.