Patient and Visitor Safety

Infection Prevention and Control

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The Ottawa Hospital’s Infection Prevention and Control program helps protect patients, visitors and staff. 

The program uses evidence-based guidance and focuses on monitoring, education, consultation, outbreak investigation, research and policies and procedures to reduce preventable hospital-acquired infections.

A healthcare provider speaks with an older adult wearing a mask.

Hospital-acquired infection

A hospital-acquired infection is an infection that a patient did not have before being admitted to the hospital and develops within 48 to 72 hours after admission.

The Ottawa Hospital monitors infection rates very closely. 

Across Canada, cases of MRSA and C. difficile continue to rise. This increase has several causes, including:

  • Caring for more patients who are more medically complex.
  • Caring for more people with weakened immune systems.
  • Using new devices and procedures that carry higher risk.
  • Using antibiotics in ways that contribute to resistant bacteria.
  • Travelling more frequently, which spreads bacteria and other pathogens worldwide. 

To combat this rise in infection rates, The Ottawa Hospital has put several measures in place, including:

  • Developing hand hygiene programs and increasing access to alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Screening patients for resistant germs when they are admitted.
  • Using single rooms, gowns and gloves to help prevent spread.
  • Renovating patient care areas.
  • Increasing Environmental Services support.
  • Providing education and awareness materials for patients and health-care providers.

Learn more about:

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)

MRSA

MERS-CoV

How visitors can help prevent the spread of infections

Infections can be serious for patients who are already unwell. You can help prevent the spread of germs by following these steps:

  • Visit only when you are feeling well and free of fever, cough or diarrhea.
  • Use public washrooms rather than patient washrooms.
  • Avoid touching hospital supplies and ask staff for anything you need.
  • Avoid entering areas of the hospital that are unfamiliar.
  • Avoid visiting other patients.

More tips

Wash your hands

Clean hands help prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub, often throughout the day. This is especially important:

  • Before entering and when leaving a patient room.
  • Before eating or drinking.
  • After coughing, sneezing or using the washroom.

Alcohol-based hand rub stations are available in patient rooms and throughout the hospital.

Cover your cough

Respiratory infections like the flu spread easily. When you cough or sneeze:

  1. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose.
  2. Throw the tissue away immediately.
  3. Clean your hands.

If you do not have a tissue, cough into your elbow instead of your hands. If you cough or sneeze into your hands, wash them right away.

Follow isolation room protocol

Some patients need extra infection-control precautions. A sign will be posted at the entrance to their room or bed space. If you see a sign, please stop at the nurse’s station for instructions before entering. You may need to wear gloves or a mask with a visor. Staff will help you put on and take off this equipment safely.

If you have questions, please speak with a member of the health-care team.

Get your flu shot

A flu shot can help prevent lung infections and pneumonia. Visitors are encouraged to get a flu shot to help protect patients who may be more vulnerable to serious illness.  

For more information about the flu, visit Immunize Canada’s website. 

Frequently asked questions about the flu

Healthy people are not immune to severe flu. Some people only have mild symptoms, and you can spread the flu even before you show any symptoms. The only way to prevent transmission to others when you have no symptoms is the flu shot. Children and older people are at higher risk of complications and hospitalization from the flu. If you get a flu shot, you also protect your loved ones. 

No. In healthy adults the flu shot is 70 to 90 per cent effective in preventing the flu.

Healthy pregnant women are at greater risk of flu-related complications and hospitalization than women who are not pregnant. The flu shot is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is highly recommended for these groups.

Infants born during flu season to mothers who got a flu shot are protected against the flu. Antibodies against the flu are transferred across the placenta, or through breast milk. Infants less than six months of age cannot get the flu shot. 

People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a flu shot in the past, and those with a documented severe allergy to eggs or any other component of the vaccine should not get a flu shot. If you have a fever, you can still get the flu shot if you are feeling well.

No. Harmful effects have not been reported from thimerosal. 

No. The flu shot does not contain living virus. You cannot get the flu from the shot. 

The flu shot can cause your arm to be sore for up to two days. Some people will feel unwell and develop a fever and muscle aches after getting the shot. Taking Tylenol when you get the shot can help reduce these side effects.

Less common side effects include allergic reactions, red eyes and breathing symptoms. There is no conclusive proof that the flu shot is linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome. The shot does not weaken the immune system.