One of the most important steps to take for reducing the risk of getting an infection while staying in a hospital or clinical setting is washing your hands properly at least with soap and water, but preferably also with alcohol-based gels or wipes. Washing your hands is not only important after going to the bathroom, but also, after you touch any other surface or person outside the bathroom. Surfaces to be particularly careful of are doorknobs, light switches, bedside railings, curtains, bedside tables and medical equipment and paraphernalia. Consider using the paper towel you used to dry your hands with in the bathroom as a barrier over doorknobs and bedside rails. Once you're back in bed, throw the paper towel in a nearby garbage bin. Make sure there is a dispenser of alcohol-based hand sanitizer within reach of your bed. Once you return to bed from the bathroom, sanitize your hands again. Touching other patients, even for compassionate reasons, isn't a good idea in hospitals or other long-term care facilities. They may be harboring antibiotic-resistant bacteria or super pathogenic viruses on their skin or clothing that can infect you and make you very ill. Conversely, you may transfer similar pathogenic microorganisms to them and put their lives at stake. Talking and listening to other patients is fine and often passes the time faster, but never contact other patient's wounds or bandages and don't shake their hands. Also, avoid sharing towels, washcloths, razors or clothes If you or any surrounding patients are coughing repeatedly, then consider wearing a surgical mask when in close proximity. Viruses and bacteria travel and become airborne within droplets of saliva and mucus. Common HAIs include Clostridium difficile (C. diff), MRSA, Acinetobacter, Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), hepatitis, Klebsiella norovirus, and more. MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria because they are resistant to several common antibiotics. MRSA bacteria developed in hospitals decades ago due to overuse of antibiotics. Now, there are only a few powerful drugs that can contain MRSA bacteria. It should go without saying that you shouldn't touch medical equipment because you may disrupt the function or change the settings (which can put your life at risk), but medical devices and paraphernalia are also commonly contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. In fact, some of the most deadly vectors of infection can survive for weeks on medical equipment and in patient rooms. As such, keep your hands to yourself and your curiosity in check by not touching any medical devices, intravenous paraphernalia or nearby diagnostic equipment. Each year more than 18,000 American patients die from MRSA infections that they contract while in hospitals. In addition to bacteria, serious viruses to be concerned about in a hospital setting include MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). Even if you're diligent about washing and sanitizing your hands while in the hospital, it's a good idea to break the habit of touching your face, particularly your mouth and eyes. Bacteria and viruses on your hands are unlikely to lead to infections there (unless you have cuts or abrasions), but your eyes and mouth are entry points into your body where pathogenic microorganisms can take advantage and multiply if the conditions are right. If they can penetrate the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth, they can also gain access to the bloodstream and infect other parts of the body. If you don't already wear glasses, consider wearing clear plastic eye protection to prevent yourself from touching or rubbing your eyes. Women need to take special precaution against transmitting germs while applying their eye makeup and lipstick. Within a hospital setting, it's safer to go without makeup. When using alcohol-based hand rubs and sanitizers, products with at least 60% alcohol content are preferred. Always remember that your immune system is designed to fight off pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, so that is ultimately your best ally in preventing hospital infections. The main problem is that most people who enter a hospital or clinic are sick and have compromised or weakened immunity, which makes them particularly susceptible to infections. As such, make sure to eat lots of fresh produce and keep well hydrated. Fruits and veggies are loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other compounds that can kill bacteria and viruses. Drinking lots of water keeps your blood volume up and mucous membranes moist, making it difficult for pathogens to penetrate inside your body. Preparing fresh fruit smoothies before you head into the hospital for a procedure is a good idea, or have your family bring them to you on a regular basis. Snacking on raw veggies (broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers) is another great way of getting important nutrients into your body. Your immune system will benefit by avoiding refined sugars while in the hospital (soda pop, candy, ice cream, desserts, most baked goods). Supplements that can boost immunity include vitamins A, C and D, zinc, selenium, echinacea, olive leaf extract and astragalus root. Remember not to take supplements of any kind without consulting a doctor first. They may interact with medications or medical conditions.
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One-sentence summary -- Disinfect your hands frequently. Don't touch other patients. Don't touch medical equipment or machines. Keep your hands away from your eyes and mouth. Try to eat nutritiously and drink lots of purified water.

Q: Coffee contains oils, and it's these oils that can stain your pot, especially if you leave coffee sitting in the pot for extended periods. To prevent stains from forming, don't leave coffee sitting in the pot for more than 30 minutes. This is especially important if there's only a small amount of coffee left in the pot, because the burner can make the coffee evaporate faster, and this will leave baked-on stains in the bottom of the pot. To avoid having leftover coffee in the pot, make only enough coffee to serve each person one to two cups at a time. Trace amounts of coffee left in the bottom of the pot can dry and bake on, and this will leave those annoying and hard-to-clean stains in the bottom of the pot. As soon as the coffee pot is empty, rinse it out with hot water to remove leftover coffee traces. Rinse the inside and outside of the pot so that spilled drips don't stain the exterior of the pot. When you pour a coffee, there are often a few dribbles that spill down the side of the spout and onto the outside and bottom of the coffee pot. Over time, these can cause stains if they aren't addressed immediately. To prevent stains on the outside and exterior bottom of the pot, use a damp cloth to wipe drips from the outside of the pot after you pour each cup. Cleaning the coffee pot every day with soap and water will help to prevent difficult stains that can build up over time. Each morning, after you've made your final cup of coffee for the day, clean the inside and outside of the pot with hot soapy water and a cloth or brush. When the pot is clean, rinse it with clean water and towel dry it to prevent water and mineral stains. If you don't have time to clean the pot in the morning, just rinse it out and clean it when you get home from work or school in the afternoon or evening.
A: Don't leave coffee in the pot for extended periods. Rinse the pot when you're finished with it. Wipe up drips immediately. Clean the pot daily.

Article: Shift your knees so they come towards your belly. Move your knees and your feet to the edge of the bed. Use your arms as support as you push yourself into a sitting position. Swing your legs over the side of the bed. You can also place a pillow between your legs to help you get up. To avoid any dizziness or nausea when you get up, take a long breath before you raise up off the bed. This will also prevent you from aggravating any back pain you might be feeling. Enlist the support of your partner or someone close by to help you get out of the lying position. Have the person grip your forearms and gently help you rise up from the bed.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Roll on your side, if you are not already on your side. Take a deep breath before you stand up. Ask someone for assistance.