What about safety with medicines at home?
When you get ready to go home, we will give you an updated copy of the list of medicines that we made. It will include anything new that your child’s doctor orders. The updated list will also be sent to your regular doctor.
If you have questions about your child’s medicines, Please Speak Up! and ask us. We also have safety tips (español) to help you.
How can I help to prevent infections after surgery?
The most important thing that you can do to help prevent infections is to clean your hands well and often.
Clean your hands with soap and water or use the alchohol hand sanitizer.
Our staff should clean their hands before caring for your child. If they do not, Please Speak Up! and ask them to do so.
- Other tips to help prevent infection once your child goes home include:
- Make sure you give your child the antibiotics that your doctor prescribes. Antibiotics are medicines used to help prevent and treat infections.
- If your child has an incision, keep the area around it clean and dry. Do not touch the area and teach your child not to touch it. If your child has a dressing, change it as the doctor or nurse directs.
- Stay away from sick people who might pass germs to your child.
- Make sure your child’s immunizations are up to date.
What are the signs of infection?
If you ever think that your child’s incision is infected, Please Speak Up! and call your child’s doctor right away. Signs of infection may include:
- Redness, swelling, bad odor or discolored drainage coming from your child’s incision.
- A fever over 100.3°F or as your doctor directs.