Flowers? Balloons? Anti-Bacterial Wipes? Best Gift For the Hospital Patient

The notion that being in a hospital is one of the safest and most sterile places to be is LONG gone! If it's not for you for some reason, then you need to catch up to the reality of many hospital settings today.

Hospitals are full of harmful bacteria and germs. In spite of the cleaning that is done in hospitals, studies still reveal lots of harmful bacteria in man areas.

First, if someone you love is a patient in a hospital, skip the flower and balloons and such and bring them some anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitizer! Some of the most contaminated areas in hospitals are the patient tray table! Bring these wipes, wipe down that table - top, sides, lever etc. Give the gift of good health and safety to someone you love.

Wipe down that telephone in the room!! Before they pick it up to speak to those calling to check in on them, sanitize it  - the entire thing - especially the hand piece that gets put to your face!

The call button and bed control - one of the filthiest surfaces in the room!!! Wipe this down - top, bottom, cord etc. How many sick people with god knows what touched that button before your loved one? While we would like to imagine that the cleaning crew who comes in the room sterilizes it from top to bottom, realistically we know that most wash the floor, clean the bathroom and change the bed linens. Sanitizing various surfaces in each and every room is probably a detail that doesn't get done, isn't always noticed, but could have very serious health hazards if not addressed!

Leave them hand sanitizer so they can use if often while there. After shaking hands with drs., nurses or therapists, or touching any community surfaces, is the best time to pull out the sanitizer.

As a visitor, be smart about germ safety yourself.

Minimize touching community surfaces. Hit the elevator button with your elbow or covered hand. Watch where you out your coat or pocketbook when visiting and always spray it with Lysol or another sanitizing spray once home.

Use hand sanitizer yourself and limit touching your face.

Studies revealed the scary types of bacteria on the shoes of visitors after they left the hospital! You would be amazed!! Take off your shoes before you enter your home. Spray the bottoms with sanitizing spray and then clean with an anti-bacterial cleaner before putting back into the common areas of your home. Otherwise, you are just carrying in harmful germs and bacteria into your home!

A few dollars and small investment can be a huge help in keeping your loved one, and yourself, safe, healthy and hopefully on the road to a speedier recovery!