Infection Prevention
Infection is a concern at hospitals and in communities nationwide. Organisms that cause infections can occur everywhere, not just medical settings.
Infections are becoming more common and more complex, making them difficult to treat in some cases. Some infections are also hard to fight due to the overuse of antibiotics.
Germs Stop Here
To protect our patients, Enloe Health has implemented rigorous infection control measures. They are guided by an infectious disease expert and supported by specially trained nurses.
Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene means keeping hands clean to stop germs and infections. We are committed to this simple but important practice. Caregivers wash their hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
To protect you and your loved ones, caregivers must clean their hands:
- Every time they enter or exit a patient’s room
- Before and after caring for each patient
We hope you speak up if you have questions or concerns about hand hygiene. Feel free to ask our caregivers if they have cleaned their hands.
Enloe Health Infection Prevention monitors hand hygiene practices throughout Enloe. They observe caregivers throughout the health system. They also collect information with electronic tools. Infection Prevention makes sure everyone is educated about hand hygiene.
Enloe achieved a hand hygiene compliance rate of 91% in 2024, advancing our commitment to zero preventable harm.
Urinary Tract Infections
A urinary catheter is a thin tube placed into a person’s bladder to drain urine. A catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) can happen if bacteria enter the person’s body through the catheter.
Enloe strives to have zero preventable CAUTIs. To prevent them, caregivers:
- Wash their hands before they touch the catheter
- Use gloves and sterile equipment
- Keep the catheter clean and dry
- Remove the catheter as soon as possible
Follow this link and view the “Infections” section to learn our CAUTI rates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Central Line Infections
A central line is a tube that goes into a large vein, giving direct access to the bloodstream. It can be the best option for patients who need fluids given through a vein, strong medications or frequent blood tests during a long illness. If germs get into the line, they can cause a serious infection called a central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI).
Enloe strives to have zero preventable CLABSIs. To prevent them, caregivers:
- Clean the patient’s skin before inserting line
- Check the line often for signs of infection
- Remove the line as soon as possible
- Wash their hands
Follow this link and view the “Infections” section to learn our CLABSI rates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Blood Infections
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a group of bacteria that cause infections that are hard to treat. It does not respond to many common antibiotics.
MRSA can get into a person’s body through a cut, wound or medical device. That includes catheters and IVs. If MRSA gets into the bloodstream, it can cause a medical emergency.
Enloe strives to have zero preventable MRSA blood infections. To prevent these infections, caregivers:
- Educate patients and each other about MRSA
- Wash their hands and use hand sanitizer
- Disinfect rooms, beds and equipment
- Wear gowns, gloves and masks
Follow this link and view the “Infections” section to learn our MRSA rates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Even One Infection Is Too Many
While Enloe has a great record on hospital-acquired infection, we believe one infection is too many and work to prevent them every day. We constantly review and tighten our infection control policies.
And, like all hospitals, we’re subject to regular and unannounced reviews and drop-in visits from the Joint Commission, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, and the California State Department of Health Services.
