It’s no secret that good hand washing plays a critical role in infection prevention and thus the spread of illness; Hands are the main pathways of germ transmission according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). In hygiene-critical areas and environments such as healthcare and the food industry, the spread of infection can have serious repercussions; a good hand washing technique with the right product at the right time can save millions of lives in the healthcare sector alone.

However various studies have shown that hygiene compliance rates in these critical industries are not what they should be. According to WHO, even in resource-rich hospital settings, hand hygiene compliance can be well below 40 per cent. Elsewhere, the Food Standards Agency found that a shocking 39 per cent of staff do not wash their hands after visiting the toilet, and a huge 53 per cent do not wash their hands before preparing food. Hand hygiene has a part to play in general washrooms too – less than six per cent of the population wash their hands adequately according to a study by Borchgrevink, C.P. et al.

So why is this the case, and how can better hand hygiene compliance be promoted and put into place?

Hygiene critical areas: healthcare

The first and most obvious area where hand hygiene is critical is healthcare. Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) are a persistent and serious health threat to patients, and inadequate hand hygiene compliance has a significant part to play in this. In the UK alone, a study by the University of Nottingham found that HCAIs caused by hospital superbugs such as C.difficile and MRSA are responsible for at least 5,000 deaths a year; greater than the number associated with road traffic accidents.

There are several reasons for low hand hygiene compliance in healthcare. According to a report by the AHA Health Forum, the issue is twofold: the human factor, and the method of reporting. On an individual level, insufficient education can lead to common misconceptions; that glove use does not necessitate hand washing; demands being placed on medical staff can lead to fewer hand hygiene events than necessary, or simply forgetfulness. Furthermore, when it comes to reporting hand hygiene compliance, data can also be inaccurate. If measured incorrectly, the required actions are less likely to be implemented when it comes to a hand hygiene review.

Tackling hand hygiene compliance can come in many forms. Greater awareness and education is needed, for example, the teaching of the WHO’S 5-Moments for Hand Hygiene. Strategic placement of resources around healthcare facilities can aid this, encouraging and reminding healthcare professionals when to sanitise and clean.

Alcohol-based hand sanitisers have been cited by the WHO as an essential, complementary method to washing with soap to drive hand hygiene compliance within healthcare facilities, as they require less time and are highly effective at killing potentially harmful germs. Well-placed dispenser points, and smaller more portable pump packs can also be effective here.

Monitoring can also assist when evaluating hand hygiene rates. Existing observation methods can be unreliable, but technology-based electric monitoring systems can both remind professionals of hand hygiene events and record these. They have been proven to provide accurate and reliable data on true hand hygiene compliance levels to help identify areas for improvement.

Hygiene critical areas: the food industry

Another critical area for hand hygiene compliance is the food industry, where the cross contamination of food can cause serious illness outbreaks. Thirty per cent of foodborne illness outbreaks can be traced to poor personal hygiene according to a study by Epidemiol, but many of these diseases are preventable through proper hand washing.

A study by Oregon State University found that the top factors affecting hand hygiene compliance were time constraints, inadequate facilities, a lack of accountability and a lack of general support for hand washing practices in the workplace. With the fast pace and turnover of the food industry, factors such as language barriers and unfamiliarity with the working environment can also lead to misunderstandings and a low compliance rate.

Long-term behavioural change needs to be driven in order to improve hand hygiene compliance in the food industry. More awareness and education of the risks and procedures involved is recommended, ensuring that proper training is fulfilled so that employees are aware of how to avoid cross-contamination. However for high compliance, the right products need to be provided at the right times – an on-site assessment can help with this, by identifying critical hand hygiene control points.

As with the healthcare environment, if products are clearly signposted and labelled, this will assist in promoting thorough and compliant hand washing.  Hand washing should also be incorporated with the use of hand sanitisers, which can be used without water, at the point of need, to provide rapid and easily accessible hand hygiene.

Protecting the general population

When it comes to the general washroom, although less hygiene critical in relation to acute illnesses, hand washing is important when it comes to infection prevention across the general population in places such as offices, schools and public spaces. According to the Centre for Economic and Business Research, the UK economy lost €4.9 billion in 2013 due to poor hygiene related sick leave.

The WHO states that 80 per cent of germs are spread through personal contact or by touching contaminated surfaces, and in office environments, for example, if hand hygiene is not promoted it can quickly manifest in absenteeism and loss of productivity.

A recent survey by the Royal Society for Public Health also found that although the importance of hand hygiene is generally well understood by the public, there is some confusion over the relationship between germs and hygiene, and the times and situations where hand washing is most vital.

There are a wide range of factors that contribute to low hand hygiene compliance levels in general washrooms. An understanding of the difference between washroom types is vital, as is awareness amongst users. In offices, for example, it is critical to bring raised awareness of hand hygiene and the potential risks to truly drive compliance. Resources such as posters and signs can help encourage this, as can training and skin care plans.

One of the important factors is quality product provision and its presentation. Products which are easy and enjoyable to use, have a pleasant scent and care for the skin communicate freshness and cleanliness to the user, thus encouraging hand hygiene compliance.

Despite the above, hygiene compliance rates can swiftly become irrelevant if the washroom itself is unhygienic, or the products contaminated. Commonly seen in general washrooms, open soap systems that are bulk filled can actually present a serious hygiene problem. Airborne germs and bacteria can enter the soap reservoir, potentially contaminating the soap – these dispensers are also often inadequately cleaned or refilled.

Procedure states that they should be emptied and cleaned thoroughly on each refill, however this rarely happens, meaning that contaminated soap is simply topped up. According to a study by Chattman, Maxwell and Gerba, a huge 25 per cent of public refillable bulk soap dispensers are contaminated with unsafe levels of bacteria and can actually leave the hands with 25 times more bacteria after washing.

Maximum hygiene

Cartridge soap dispensers which are sealed will bring maximum hygiene, with a measured dose of fresh product dispensed each time. The maintenance of washrooms has a significant impact on hand hygiene, and with a more readily replaceable cartridge, this is made easier and simpler for cleaning professionals. With visibly cleaner and more pleasant soap dispensers, users are far more likely to wash hands thoroughly and carry out a full hand hygiene event.

Not only are soap cartridges more hygienic, when coupled with foam soaps, they are much more cost effective with savings on refill time and water use, as well as reducing product usage and packaging.

Although the risks of inadequate hand hygiene are clear to most users, a clean washroom and availability of product is often the primary concern. Whether in hygiene-critical environments or general washrooms, it is clear that more could be done to really raise awareness of the risk, and make hand hygiene matter to users.

Time constraints, lack of awareness and proper facilities are common factors across all sectors from hospitals to office washrooms. More education, raised awareness and the provision of quality, safe skin care products could have a huge impact on hand hygiene compliance rates, thus reducing the spread of infection and ultimately the risk to life across all industries.

Above article is obtain from European Cleaning Journal.

The post Better hand hygiene, reduce the spread of coronavirus appeared first on Doctorclean.

However various studies have shown that hygiene compliance rates in these critical industries are not what they should be. According to WHO, even in resource-rich hospital settings, hand hygiene compliance can be well below 40 per cent. Elsewhere, the Food Standards Agency found that a shocking 39 per cent of staff do not wash their hands after visiting the toilet, and a huge 53 per cent do not wash their hands before preparing food. Hand hygiene has a part to play in general washrooms too – less than six per cent of the population wash their hands adequately according to a study by Borchgrevink, C.P. et al.

So why is this the case, and how can better hand hygiene compliance be promoted and put into place?

Hygiene critical areas: healthcare

The first and most obvious area where hand hygiene is critical is healthcare. Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) are a persistent and serious health threat to patients, and inadequate hand hygiene compliance has a significant part to play in this. In the UK alone, a study by the University of Nottingham found that HCAIs caused by hospital superbugs such as C.difficile and MRSA are responsible for at least 5,000 deaths a year; greater than the number associated with road traffic accidents.

There are several reasons for low hand hygiene compliance in healthcare. According to a report by the AHA Health Forum, the issue is twofold: the human factor, and the method of reporting. On an individual level, insufficient education can lead to common misconceptions; that glove use does not necessitate hand washing; demands being placed on medical staff can lead to fewer hand hygiene events than necessary, or simply forgetfulness. Furthermore, when it comes to reporting hand hygiene compliance, data can also be inaccurate. If measured incorrectly, the required actions are less likely to be implemented when it comes to a hand hygiene review.

Tackling hand hygiene compliance can come in many forms. Greater awareness and education is needed, for example, the teaching of the WHO’S 5-Moments for Hand Hygiene. Strategic placement of resources around healthcare facilities can aid this, encouraging and reminding healthcare professionals when to sanitise and clean.

Alcohol-based hand sanitisers have been cited by the WHO as an essential, complementary method to washing with soap to drive hand hygiene compliance within healthcare facilities, as they require less time and are highly effective at killing potentially harmful germs. Well-placed dispenser points, and smaller more portable pump packs can also be effective here.

Monitoring can also assist when evaluating hand hygiene rates. Existing observation methods can be unreliable, but technology-based electric monitoring systems can both remind professionals of hand hygiene events and record these. They have been proven to provide accurate and reliable data on true hand hygiene compliance levels to help identify areas for improvement.

Hygiene critical areas: the food industry

Another critical area for hand hygiene compliance is the food industry, where the cross contamination of food can cause serious illness outbreaks. Thirty per cent of foodborne illness outbreaks can be traced to poor personal hygiene according to a study by Epidemiol, but many of these diseases are preventable through proper hand washing.

A study by Oregon State University found that the top factors affecting hand hygiene compliance were time constraints, inadequate facilities, a lack of accountability and a lack of general support for hand washing practices in the workplace. With the fast pace and turnover of the food industry, factors such as language barriers and unfamiliarity with the working environment can also lead to misunderstandings and a low compliance rate.

Long-term behavioural change needs to be driven in order to improve hand hygiene compliance in the food industry. More awareness and education of the risks and procedures involved is recommended, ensuring that proper training is fulfilled so that employees are aware of how to avoid cross-contamination. However for high compliance, the right products need to be provided at the right times – an on-site assessment can help with this, by identifying critical hand hygiene control points.

As with the healthcare environment, if products are clearly signposted and labelled, this will assist in promoting thorough and compliant hand washing.  Hand washing should also be incorporated with the use of hand sanitisers, which can be used without water, at the point of need, to provide rapid and easily accessible hand hygiene.

Protecting the general population

When it comes to the general washroom, although less hygiene critical in relation to acute illnesses, hand washing is important when it comes to infection prevention across the general population in places such as offices, schools and public spaces. According to the Centre for Economic and Business Research, the UK economy lost €4.9 billion in 2013 due to poor hygiene related sick leave.

The WHO states that 80 per cent of germs are spread through personal contact or by touching contaminated surfaces, and in office environments, for example, if hand hygiene is not promoted it can quickly manifest in absenteeism and loss of productivity.

A recent survey by the Royal Society for Public Health also found that although the importance of hand hygiene is generally well understood by the public, there is some confusion over the relationship between germs and hygiene, and the times and situations where hand washing is most vital.

There are a wide range of factors that contribute to low hand hygiene compliance levels in general washrooms. An understanding of the difference between washroom types is vital, as is awareness amongst users. In offices, for example, it is critical to bring raised awareness of hand hygiene and the potential risks to truly drive compliance. Resources such as posters and signs can help encourage this, as can training and skin care plans.

One of the important factors is quality product provision and its presentation. Products which are easy and enjoyable to use, have a pleasant scent and care for the skin communicate freshness and cleanliness to the user, thus encouraging hand hygiene compliance.

Despite the above, hygiene compliance rates can swiftly become irrelevant if the washroom itself is unhygienic, or the products contaminated. Commonly seen in general washrooms, open soap systems that are bulk filled can actually present a serious hygiene problem. Airborne germs and bacteria can enter the soap reservoir, potentially contaminating the soap – these dispensers are also often inadequately cleaned or refilled.

Procedure states that they should be emptied and cleaned thoroughly on each refill, however this rarely happens, meaning that contaminated soap is simply topped up. According to a study by Chattman, Maxwell and Gerba, a huge 25 per cent of public refillable bulk soap dispensers are contaminated with unsafe levels of bacteria and can actually leave the hands with 25 times more bacteria after washing.

Maximum hygiene

Cartridge soap dispensers which are sealed will bring maximum hygiene, with a measured dose of fresh product dispensed each time. The maintenance of washrooms has a significant impact on hand hygiene, and with a more readily replaceable cartridge, this is made easier and simpler for cleaning professionals. With visibly cleaner and more pleasant soap dispensers, users are far more likely to wash hands thoroughly and carry out a full hand hygiene event.

Not only are soap cartridges more hygienic, when coupled with foam soaps, they are much more cost effective with savings on refill time and water use, as well as reducing product usage and packaging.

Although the risks of inadequate hand hygiene are clear to most users, a clean washroom and availability of product is often the primary concern. Whether in hygiene-critical environments or general washrooms, it is clear that more could be done to really raise awareness of the risk, and make hand hygiene matter to users.

Time constraints, lack of awareness and proper facilities are common factors across all sectors from hospitals to office washrooms. More education, raised awareness and the provision of quality, safe skin care products could have a huge impact on hand hygiene compliance rates, thus reducing the spread of infection and ultimately the risk to life across all industries.

The post Why the lack of hand hygiene compliance? appeared first on Doctorclean.

Hygiene in surgical care SAVES LIVES: wash your hands. The improvement of hand hygiene practices in surgical services is a priority.

After 10 years of the WHO program “Clean care is safer care”, these are the 10 reasons why you should participate in the campaign:

Hand hygiene at the right time saves lives.

Hand hygiene in health care has saved millions of lives in recent years.

Hand hygiene is a quality indicator that highlights the safety of health systems.

Health problems, such as infections associated with health care (IAAS), which are often invisible but nevertheless occur, are political and social challenges that we must address.

Infections can be avoided by good hand hygiene, and damage to the health of patients and health care personnel can be prevented for less than $ 10.

There is low cost technology to save lives! The alcohol-based disinfectant solution, which costs approximately $ 3 per bottle, can prevent IAAS and millions of deaths each year.

There is #handhygiene in social media, which means that it is an important issue, either due to IAAS or outbreaks due to deadly diseases such as Ebola.

Incorporating the specific moments for the action of hand hygiene in the workflow of health workers makes it easy to do the right thing every minute, every hour, every day.

Infection prevention is a fundamental part of strengthening health systems. Hand hygiene is the basis of all interventions, either by inserting an invasive medical device, manipulating a surgical wound, or when performing an injection.

The social epidemic has already begun to be transmitted with “Save lives: clean your hands”, a successful campaign that promotes the action of hand washing at the point of patient care.

The post Surgical hand washing appeared first on Doctorclean.

Some believe automated systems can increase hand hygiene compliance because they make a tedious chore quicker and more fun, as well as thorough and more uniform than a manual “splash-and-dash” approach commonly used by harried HCWs. Resurgent Health and Medical’s Radius Automated Handwashing and Monitoring System is a fully automated, touchless system available in healthcare for mechanical handwashing, rinsing and sanitizing. It performs a 10-second cycle using a chlorhexidine gluconate-based sanitizing solution, delivered by high-pressure water jets that perform a consistent wash-and-sanitize cycle every time the machine is used.

“We’re committed to helping achieve ‘zero tolerance’ in the prevention of healthcare-acquired infections,” says Jim Glenn, CEO of Resurgent Health and Medical. “Our new Radius system brings to healthcare a proven technology that has enabled other critical industries to achieve near-perfect elimination of infectious workplace pathogens. Furthermore, the Radius system introduces a total prevention approach by automating measurement and documentation of handwashing compliance.”

The post Automated Handwashing Systems appeared first on Doctorclean.

80% of all infections are transmitted through the hands. Washing your hands can prevent the transmission of respiratory viruses, influenza virus, enterovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, among others, as well as gastroenteritis, hepatitis and other more serious diseases. Infections are very common in long-term care centers and represent an important cause of contagion and mortality among residents of geriatric centers.

A study published recently in the American Journal of Infection Control evaluated the impact of implementing a specific program of preventive actions with hand hygiene in nursing homes.

During the implementation of the program, health professionals took measures related to the hygiene of the hands, provided greater access to disinfecting hands through pocket bottles and new dispensers, as well as installing information screens and training programs.

The researchers evaluated the hand hygiene practices measuring the consumption of hand sanitizers and evaluating the rate of incidence of acute respiratory infections and acute gastroenteritis.

Conclusions of the study:

There was an increase in the use of hand sanitizer by health personnel during the one-year study period.

The mortality rate was significantly reduced: from 2.10 per 100 residents per month, compared to 2.65 per 100 residents per month in the control group.

Healthcare personnel also experienced lower prescriptions of antibiotics at 5 daily doses defined for 100 days resident versus the daily defined doses of 5.8 of the control group for 100 resident days.

Hospitalizations did not make a  difference between the two groups.

What does it mean?

Keeping your hands clean is one of the most important steps to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. When a center implements a hand hygiene program increases the consumption of disinfectants, and in return achieves a more protected space for residents and workers, reduces costs in antibiotic treatments, avoids labor losses and improves the quality of the service.
If you plan to implement improvements with regard to accessing the hand sanitizer to your business,  we advise you to choose the best options offered by the market in disinfectants with sanitary registration and dispensers.

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The post 10 Reasons for us to participate in the WHO “Save Lives: Clean Your Hands” campaign appeared first on Doctorclean.