If you are going into hospital, there are a number of simple
things you can do to reduce your risk of acquiring MRSA:

• Use a bactericidal soap and shampoo (available
  from pharmacies) for a few days before you go into
  hospital (in accordance with soap manufacturers
  instructions).
  
• Take your own supplies of handwash and/or hand
  wipes and always wash or clean your hands after
  using the toilet and before and after eating.
  
• Wear shoes or slippers when walking around.
  
• Make sure that staff have washed or cleaned
  their hands before they touch you. If you are not
  sure whether they have washed their hands, ask
  them to do so - there is no need to feel embarrassed
  about doing this.
  
• If the area around your hospital bed is dirty, insist
  that it is cleaned.
  
• Try not to get too close to other patients. Avoid
  sharing books, newspapers etc and avoid all contact
  with other people's wounds or with material
  contaminated from wounds.

If you would like further information on reducing the risks of
acquiring MRSA, request a copy of our free booklet Making
Sense of MRSA.

What are hospitals doing?

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