Promote a Healthy Lifestyle

Hand washing is the single, most important way to protect you, your child and others against infection. Anyone coming in contact with your child should follow these recommendations:

• Use soap, water and friction for a minimum of 15-20 seconds:
  — Whenever handling anything visibly dirty
  — After use of the restroom, bedpan or urinal
• Use soap/water/friction or alcohol gel/foam:
  — Before and after eating
  — Before taking medications that are held in the hand
  — When leaving your child’s hospital room (for example, when going for tests/procedures or to the playroom
  — When returning to your child’s hospital room

Daily Hygiene Tips

• It is important for your child to take daily showers or sponge baths to protect oneself against infection.
• Please avoid getting piercings, because they take some time to heal and are difficult to maintain and keep clean.
• Avoid kissing on the mouth.
• Avoid sharing rinsing cups and/or toothbrushes.
• Replace toothbrush after every cold/flu.
• Fingernails should be kept short and clean and artificial nails, nail wraps, overlays, etc. should be avoided since they harbor bacteria and are difficult to maintain and keep clean.

Maintaining a Clean Environment

Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach strives to create and maintain a clean and pleasant environment. You and your child are at high-risk for infection due to the cancer treatment your child receives. Special precautions are necessary so that we may adequately clean each patient’s room. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Create the cleanest environment possible:

• Avoid placing toys, clothing, magazines, books, newspapers and other items on the floor, on top of air conditioning unit, red trash containers, dirty linen hampers and/or hepa filters.
• Keep personal care items in the bathroom to a minimum.
• Storage cabinets are available in your child’s room for a limited number of personal belongings.
• Please do not leave valuables unattended.