Some of your best opportunities to prevent hospital infections happen before you ever step foot in a hospital. Time spent researching and asking the right questions can go a long way toward keeping yourself safe from infection. Below are some ways you can start protecting yourself before being admitted to the hospital:

• Choose your healthcare provider carefully. One of the best ways to protect yourself from a hospital infection is to choose a good hospital and a healthcare provider you trust. Review Hospital Care now.
• Ask your surgeon about your risk for infection. If you need surgery, don't be afraid to ask your surgeon about the chance of getting an infection, if it has happened to his or her patients before, and what will be done to make sure you don't get an infection.
• If you smoke and you're going to need surgery, stop smoking well before your scheduled surgery date. Patients who smoke are three times more likely to develop a surgical site infection as nonsmokers, and have significantly slower recoveries and longer hospital stays.
• If you are overweight, try to lose weight before having surgery. People who are at a healthy weight will have a lower risk of infection following surgery.
• If you have diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider about ways to control your blood sugar before, during and after any hospital stay. High blood sugar levels have been found to increase the risk of getting an infection. Be sure to inform your doctor of any medications you are taking.
• Ask your healthcare provider about showering or bathing with chlorhexidine soap three to five days before surgery. This can help remove any dangerous bacteria you may be carrying on your skin. There are a number of different brands that can be bought without a prescription. Ask your pharmacist if he or she can show you where this soap is located in your pharmacy.
• Tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, including vitamins, herbal medicines, and over-the-counter medications.
• When possible, treat any existing infections you may have before having any type of surgical procedure. This includes all infections, not just those near the portion of your body undergoing surgery.