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Prevention and Wellness

Prevention is the key to stopping the spread of many infectious diseases and sometimes can make the difference between life and death. The staff at Montefiore Medical Center takes great precautions to ensure neither they nor their patients spread diseases to other patients, visitors or staff. Outside the hospital, there are a number of easy steps that patients can take, including:

Handwashing

Handwashing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection. Unfortunately, improper or infrequent handwashing continues to be a major factor in the spread of disease.

Hands should be washed often more frequently than most adults and children do. Because bacteria and other germs cannot be seen with the naked eye, they can be anywhere. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), handwashing is especially important:

  • Before preparing food
  • Before meals
  • Before and after treating an open sore, cut or wound
  • After using the restroom
  • After touching animals or animal waste
  • After changing diapers or cleaning up a child that has gone to the restroom
  • After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
  • After handling garbage
  • When hands are dirty
  • When someone around you is ill
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