Infection prevention is up to everyone

Valentine’s month is a good time to celebrate the work that is being done to reduce healthcare-associated infections in our community and to engage consumers in their own care. After all, Coulee Medical Center shares its heart with everyone. We believe one’s family is the most important thing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. At least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these infections.

Our goal is to increase awareness of everyone’s role in infection prevention practices in and out of healthcare facilities. If you or a loved one is going into the hospital, remember: clean hands are essential to preventing infections. It is okay to ask healthcare providers to clean their hands before touching you. Patients and visitors need to do the same. Infection prevention is everyone’s responsibility.

Sandy Edwards RN,

Infection Preventionist

Coulee Medical Center