Hygiene

Infections are mainly spread through small droplets from the nose or mouth

We recommend these prevention measures in daily practice:

Wash your hands with soap, at least for 20 seconds

Following good hand washing practices is the best way to reduce the number of germs on your hands and help prevent infection.

After using bathroom
After wiping nose, coughing or sneezing
Before and after having a meal
After using public transport
After being in public places
Before and after putting mask on and off

You may want to hang up this poster for you and your family members.

How to disinfect your hands correctly

Disinfectants can further help on your hands or near your fistula.

Step by step:

Apply a palmful of the product in a cupped hand
Cover all surfaces
Rub hands palm to palm
Palm to palm with fingers interlaced
Right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers and vice versa
Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked and vice versa
Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa
Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa

You may want to hang up this poster for you and your family members.

Avoid the spread of germs

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow (not the fistula arm) when you cough or sneeze. Avoid using your bare hands
Throw used tissues into trash immediately
Regularly disinfect your hands and arms
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth directly
Avoid physical contact by greeting people
Keep > 1,5 meters distance from others
Avoid enclosed spaces and crowds of people

Wear a mask

As a physical barrier, surgical masks are designed to prevent these droplets passing onto surfaces or people. This physical barrier can also prevent the droplets to reach the lungs. For protection, it is crucial that the mask is placed properly.

Even if the general public is currently not advised to wear masks, it is recommended for dialysis patients to wear additional protection, when in public.

When to wear a mask

In general, if using public transport (e.g. bus, tram, taxi) or if you are in a public space
During your transport to and from the dialysis center
If instructed by the clinic team, wear the mask during your stay in the dialysis center incl. your treatment
If you share a household and one member shows respiratory symptoms

You may see the clinic personal using additional protective equipment, don’t be afraid, these are preventative measures.

If necessary, our clinical staff provides you with a mask and shows you how to use it correctly. Please take good care of the equipment given to you and follow the clinic staff instruction.

You may want to hang up this poster for you and your family members.

Skin care

The skin is our largest organ - it protects our bodies and helps us maintain just the right temperature.

[Translate to COM English:] Elderly couple with their bicycles

Physical exercise

Your exercise programme doesn’t need to be about sporting excellence. You should concentrate on lighter exercise

Living with Dialysis