Is it possible to leave a hospital with worse health than when it admitted you? Unfortunately, it can happen. In theory, hospitals should be clean as a bean. However, that is not always the case. Thus, it is important to follow some basic guidelines, in order to find the cleanest (and perhaps safest) hospital available:

1. Secure a copy of the hospital area's cleaning instructions, where you will stay.

Regardless of which part of the hospital in which you will stay, these instructions should include detailed descriptions about how personnel keep the area sparkling clean. While this may seem like overkill, remember that bacteria can kill. You are a paying customer, so you have the right to learn how the hospital cleans a certain area.

2. Determine if hospitals are certified and have retained certification

Learn if the hospital has received Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) certification. This is an industry standard. Receiving and maintaining this certification ensures that the hospital has been meticulous in keeping the institution sufficiently clean-for at least the past two years. This ensures that personnel are wearing hygienic clothing, such as cheap urbane scrubs, and are properly sanitizing all medical tools.

3. Ensure that the staff adheres to policies after the hospital admits you

The medical personnel should follow several cleanliness procedures. They must wash their hands with a sanitizer, prior to touching you. Stethoscopes must also undergo this process. Are personnel sanitizing instruments properly and washing their hands frequently? Observe whether the personnel are wearing hygienic clothing, such as scrubs.

Many types of bacteria in hospitals, referred to as "superbugs," have become resistant to various types of antibiotics. Thus, taking certain precautions can help to reduce the rate at which people transmit bacteria between people.

4. Learn about Medicare/Medicaid's HCAHPS results

Since March of 2008, hospitals acquiring financial refunds from Medicaid and Medicare, have been conducting HCAHPS surveys through their customers. HCAHPS refers to the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems. This survey includes clients' assessments in various areas, including "Cleanliness and Quietness of the Physical Environment." You can obtain results of a hospital's surveys, via the Internet.

5. Verify that the personnel are IEHA educated

IEFHA stands for International Executive Housekeepers Association. Inquire whether the cleaning personnel in the hospital have received AEHA training. This is yet another indicator that a hospital has prioritized cleaning its facilities properly.

6. Request for a tour of a hospital

When taking a tour of a hospital, ask yourself these questions:

•How do cleaning crews clean hospital rooms, and how often?

•Are carpets spotless?

•What hand-washing process does medical staff follow?

•Do breathe in an overall clean scent?

•Is there "hidden" dirt?

Do you want to stay in a clean hospital? If so, then you can follow some basic steps, to ensure that you will be in the cleanest and safest environment possible. For instance, scrubs can reduce the rates of bacterial infections. Make sure that your hospital has a clean bill of health!