Infection Prevention
Preventing infections is essential to protecting patients, visitors, and our healthcare team. This page provides trusted, up-to-date guidance on vaccination, respiratory virus prevention, and hand hygiene based on recommendations from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the California Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Vaccination Resources
Staying up to date on recommended vaccinations is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of serious illness. Vaccines help protect people of all ages from diseases such as influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and other preventable infections.
Local and state guidance is especially important, as recommendations may vary by season and community conditions.
Local and National Resources
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Find vaccine locations and local guidance:
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ip/index.htm
California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Statewide vaccine recommendations and public health updates:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/publichealth4all/vaccines.aspx
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National vaccine schedules, safety information, and guidance:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
Respiratory Virus Prevention
Respiratory viruses such as influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 spread easily in both community and healthcare settings. Preventing illness requires a layered approach that includes staying current with vaccinations, practicing good hygiene, improving indoor air circulation when possible, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
If you are feeling ill, staying home and limiting close contact with others helps protect those around you. During periods of increased respiratory virus activity, hospitals may implement additional precautions, such as masking recommendations, to reduce the spread of illness.
Learn More
California Department of Public Health
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Respiratory-Viruses/Home.aspx
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/
Hand Hygiene
Proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection.
Why It Matters
Washing your hands helps prevent the spread of respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. Germs can spread when you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth; prepare or eat food; touch contaminated surfaces; cough or sneeze; or care for someone who is sick.
When to Wash Your Hands
Wash your hands frequently, especially:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before eating
- Before and after caring for someone who is sick
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After using the restroom
- After changing diapers or assisting a child
- After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
- After touching animals, pet food, or animal waste
- After handling garbage
How to Wash Your Hands Properly
- Wet your hands with clean, running water and apply soap.
- Lather all surfaces of your hands, including the backs, between fingers, and under nails.
- Scrub for at least 15- 20 seconds.
- Rinse thoroughly under clean, running water.
- Dry with a clean towel or air dryer.
When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Additional guidance is available from the CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/index.html
Visitor and Patient Expectations
Patients and visitors are asked to clean their hands when entering and leaving patient rooms. When entering rooms with special precautions, please follow the posted instructions provided by hospital staff.
For the safety of our patients, visitors, and care teams, individuals experiencing cold, flu, or respiratory symptoms should postpone visits until they are feeling well.
Contact Information
For questions or additional guidance, please contact the Infection Prevention Department at 909.865.9565.
