Brave New World for Hand Hygiene

It is a brave new world for hand hygiene. Technology has changed allot of our daily routines and made life a great deal simpler. We have cell phone, iPods, iPads, electronic books and GPS - all seeking to make our life simpler.

Just as we have learned to adapt to technology, so too, we need to adapt to new knowledge about bacteria and upgrade our hand hygiene protocols.

We now have a better understanding of bacteria and its transmission. We now know the unseen can actually harm us and that clean in appearance may not and most likely is not sanitized.

We need to translate our knowledge of bacteria into practical changes in our every day lives not just to save money but to save lives.

Hand washing can offer cost savings and save lives.

In our hospitals today, imagine a simple remedy to save $286 million, the equivalent of more than $5,000 PER PATIENT.¹ A simple remedy of knowing how to wash our hands and how to use anti-MRSA wipes. Going through the motions of hand washing is not getting the job done and it is costing us millions. Science has taught us that hand washing is the number one way to prevent illness. Many hospitals are including hand washing in their employee orientations. In response to this new knowledge base, the World Health Organization (WHO) has targeted hospital administrators, public health officials and health care workers (HCWs) charged them with the task to take better care with hand washing and proper hand hygiene. WHO even included new guidelines for hand washing.

Dr. Oz, a world renown physician who has a daily television show in the United States, has stated that we have a "death triangle" on our face - the eyes, the nose and the mouth - all of these come in contact with potentially deadly contaminants from our hands.

The risk is growing - the population at risk is the elderly which here in the United States is the largest growing segment of our population.

The real question is are we listening and are we learning? And yes there will be a quiz at the end.

A few quotes from the new WHO guidelines:

“• When washing hands, wet hands with water and apply enough soap to cover all surfaces; rinse hands with water and dry thoroughly with a single-use towel. Whenever possible, use clean, running water. Avoid hot water, which may increase the risk for dermatitis.

• Liquid, bar, leaf, or powdered soap is acceptable; bars should be small and placed in racks that allow drainage.

• When using alcohol based hand rub, rub a palmful of alcohol-based hand rub over all hand surfaces until dry.

• Soap and alcohol-based handrub should not be used together.”

Germs live and multiply in warm, moist places.

Our hands touch our nose, eyes, mouth or broken skin and quickly transport germs to the inside of our body. Our immune system is amazing but not foolproof - we need to do our part and know how to clean our hands properly and understand what allows germs to grow and multiple - warmth and water.

Yes, even the hot air hand dryer has been found to be a culprit in aiding the life of germs.

Hand washing is the number way to prevent the spread of communicable disease. Hand washing and proper hand hygiene is the number one way to keep ourselves and our families healthy.

Use Disinfecting Tools Properly

Tools only work well and do what they are intended to do IF used properly. A new study shows that anti-MRSA wipes are spreading not containing infection. Why? We are being "frugal" by re-using the anti-MRSA wipes. With germs we must be conscious not to re-use wipes which will spread germs.

Hand Dryers Not the Proper Tool

Hot water is great IF it is boiling and kills the germs. Warm water, on the other hand, allows germs to grow and multiply. A new study shows that hand dryers are hurting us - they are spreading the germs and not helping us prevent illness.

Hand hygiene: warm air dryers increase bacteria on hands!

4 Practical Take Aways for Hand Hygiene

The take aways here are simple. Hand washing is critical. Germs although unseen really do exist. And while my immune system may be able to handle the germs, I could transmit my germs to someone such as your loved one whose immune system may not be able to handle the germs that I am carrying. MRSA is just one example of a potentially deadly infection.

Four simple items to keep in mind:

1. Warmth and water invites germs.
2. Boiling water kills germs. Ozonated water or food sanitizers using ozone kill bacteria/germs usingcool water.
3. Re-using wipes is not frugal it is unsanitary and can be dangerous.
4. Warm hand dryers may promote germs and counter our hand washing efforts.

Healthy Child Care Hand Washing Poster courtesy of

Healthy Child Care Hand Washing Poster Available for Download

Clean Hands Posters Available for Download Courtesy of WIU.edu

Clean Hands Poster Available for Download

Killer Hand Shake Poster Available for Download Courtesy of

Hand Washing For Life Killer Poster

Keep the Lawyers Away Poster

http://www.handwashingforlife.com/posters/keeping_the_lawyers_away

Germ Farm

http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/archive/tags/hygiene/default.aspx

http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/2009/05/handwashing.jpg

Germ Hand Poster

http://www.adme.ru/paedia/dettol/reclama/man-13-199708/resizes/2000/

http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/2009/05/handwashing.jpg

¹http://trishatorrey.com/2007/04/30/mrsa-costs-hospitals-big-money/

Disclaimer ~ FTC Disclosure ~ Copyright

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Consult the physician of your choice for medical care and advice.

This site is for information purposes only. It does not seek to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have any health problems, consult with your dentist, doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The FDA has not evaluated any statements about any products or their use on this page.

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