Picture of female nurse with educational material
Infection Control

Healthcare procedures, surgery, and certain medical devices such as IVs, catheters, and drain tubes can leave you vulnerable to germs that cause infections. D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital is committed to preventing healthcare associated infections. There are several things that you can do to prevent infections while you are in the hospital.

Hand Hygiene: Washing hands or using alcohol based- hand sanitizer is the single most important thing you can do to help prevent the spread of infection. Patients, families, and visitors are encouraged to practice good hand hygiene while visiting. Hand sanitizer dispensers are conveniently located throughout the hospital. Also, healthcare staff should clean their hands before and after caring for each patient.


Cough Etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you do not have a tissue,
cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve- NOT your hands.

Some patients may need to be placed on additional isolation precautions to prevent the spread of certain contagious illnesses.Signs placed on the door give specific instructions. Visitors should report to the Nurses Station for instruction.

Please do not visit if you are sick with cold or flu symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or runny nose.
Live plants and flowers are not allowed in the ICU. Plants may harbor germs that can infect critically ill patients. Plants and flowers also may not be appropriate for some patients receiving Chemotherapy.

Working together we can all help prevent healthcare associated infections. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Infection Control Department.

Contact Info

Cindy Lancaster, RN, CIC
Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology
Telephone: 251-867-8061 ext. 8257