Hospitals have sanitation protocols regarding uniforms, equipment sterilization, washing, and other preventive measures. Thorough hand washing and/or use of alcohol rubs by all medical personnel before and after each patient contact is one of the most effective ways to combat nosocomial infections. More careful use of antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics, is also considered vital. As many hospital-acquired infections caused by bacteria such as methicillin-resistant "Staphylococcus aureus", methicillin-susceptible "Staphylococcus aureus", and "Clostridium difficile" are caused by a breach of these protocols, it is common that affected patients make medical negligence claims against the hospital in question.