Infection Rates
C. difficile
Clostridium Difficile (C. difficile) is one of the many types of germs that can be found in stool. C. difficile can sometimes occur when antibiotics kill your good germs and allow the C. difficile (bad germs) to grow. When C. difficile grows in the bowel, it produces toxins. These toxins can damage the bowel and may cause diarrhea.
C. difficile Infection (CDI) is usually mild but sometimes can be severe. CDI is the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitals and long-term care homes.
Spreading C. difficile
When a person has CDI, the bacteria in the stool can contaminate surfaces such as toilets, handles, bedpans, or commode chairs. When touching these items our hands can become contaminated. If we then touch our mouth without washing our hands, we can become infected. Our soiled hands can also spread the bacteria to other surfaces. By always washing your hands and practicing good hygiene, you can greatly reduce your chances of picking up any bacteria – not just C. difficile.
HHCC regularly monitors and reviews infection rates and uses this information to execute best practice protective measures and continually improve patient care and safety.
Access our C. difficile infection rates.
C. difficile Infection (CDI) is usually mild but sometimes can be severe. CDI is the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitals and long-term care homes.
Spreading C. difficile
When a person has CDI, the bacteria in the stool can contaminate surfaces such as toilets, handles, bedpans, or commode chairs. When touching these items our hands can become contaminated. If we then touch our mouth without washing our hands, we can become infected. Our soiled hands can also spread the bacteria to other surfaces. By always washing your hands and practicing good hygiene, you can greatly reduce your chances of picking up any bacteria – not just C. difficile.
HHCC regularly monitors and reviews infection rates and uses this information to execute best practice protective measures and continually improve patient care and safety.
Access our C. difficile infection rates.
Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene is cleaning your hands to stop the spread of germs. Please wash your hands when you: enter the hospital building, before and after every contact with a patient, before and after eating, after using the washroom and when leaving the building.
Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the hospital to help with this. Hand sanitizers are preferred as they:
Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the hospital to help with this. Hand sanitizers are preferred as they:
- Are more effective than soap at killing germs on hands
- Require less time
- Are more accessible than handwashing sinks
MRSA
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a germ that cannot be killed with the usual antibiotic medicines such as penicillin and cephalosporin. MSRA can be carried in the nose and on the skin. Anyone can be a carrier and not know it. MRSA is usually not harmful to healthy people but may cause infection in sick people.
Causes and Spreading MRSA
MRSA has been found in hospitals, long- term care facilities and in the community. It is mainly spread by contact with unwashed hands. To prevent spreading MRSA, it is important to practice good hand hygiene before entering and on leaving your room.
The people most likely to get MRSA have been in a hospital or a long-term care home.
Staying at the hospital with MRSA
Because hospitals are filled with people who are sick and more likely to develop an infection, special precautions are needed to prevent the spread of this germ.
Access our MRSA rates
Causes and Spreading MRSA
MRSA has been found in hospitals, long- term care facilities and in the community. It is mainly spread by contact with unwashed hands. To prevent spreading MRSA, it is important to practice good hand hygiene before entering and on leaving your room.
The people most likely to get MRSA have been in a hospital or a long-term care home.
Staying at the hospital with MRSA
Because hospitals are filled with people who are sick and more likely to develop an infection, special precautions are needed to prevent the spread of this germ.
- You will be placed on Contact Precautions
- You may be moved to a private room and the people who visit or provide your care will be wearing a gown and gloves
- There will be a sign placed outside your door indicating what your caregivers/visitors will need to do
- Some of your supplies / equipment used in your care will be left in your room
- You will be asked to stay in your room, except for special circumstances
- Treatment will be ordered for you
- You may also need to take oral antibiotics
Access our MRSA rates
VRE
Vancomycin is an antibiotic used to treat certain infections, including those caused by most strains of Enterococcus. Enterococci are bacteria found normally in the intestinal tract. When Vancomycin is unable to kill these bacteria, the bacteria are called Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE).
VRE survive on hard surfaces for 7-10 days and on hands for hours. It usually doesn’t pose a risk to healthy people, but it can cause infection in those who are sick.
Spreading VRE
VRE is mainly spread by contact with unwashed hands or dirty gloves. Handling bedpans, toilet rims, or other items that have been contaminated with VRE can also spread it. It is mainly spread through the fecal/oral route. It is not passed through the air.
The people most likely to get VRE have been in a hospital or a long-term care home.
Practicing good hand hygiene is the best way to stop the spread of VRE.
Staying at the hospital with VRE
Because hospitals are filled with people who are sick and more likely to develop an infection, special precautions are needed to prevent the spread of VRE.
Access our VRE infection rates
VRE survive on hard surfaces for 7-10 days and on hands for hours. It usually doesn’t pose a risk to healthy people, but it can cause infection in those who are sick.
Spreading VRE
VRE is mainly spread by contact with unwashed hands or dirty gloves. Handling bedpans, toilet rims, or other items that have been contaminated with VRE can also spread it. It is mainly spread through the fecal/oral route. It is not passed through the air.
The people most likely to get VRE have been in a hospital or a long-term care home.
Practicing good hand hygiene is the best way to stop the spread of VRE.
Staying at the hospital with VRE
Because hospitals are filled with people who are sick and more likely to develop an infection, special precautions are needed to prevent the spread of VRE.
- You will have a private room and the people who visit or provide your care will be wearing a gown and gloves
- There will be a sign placed outside your door indicating what your caregivers/visitors will need to do
- The supplies / equipment used in your care will be left in your room
- You will be taught how to wash your hands with a hand sanitizer
- You must wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet
- Avoid touching open sores
- It is very important for all staff and visitors to carefully remove their gowns and gloves and perform hand hygiene when they leave your room
- Your room will be specially cleaned twice daily
- If you need to go to another part of the hospital for tests or treatment, you must use the hand sanitizer before leaving your room and put on a fresh clean patient gown
Access our VRE infection rates
Contact Us
519-941-2410
100 Rolling Hills Drive
Orangeville, ON
L9W 4X9
We are dedicated to safe, high-quality care, Headwaters is proudly accredited with Exemplary Standing.