Handwashing
September 2008

CANADA: Better hand hygiene at hospital still 'embarrassing'
30.sep.08
The Windsor Star
Sonja Puzic
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=50c9d755-797c-4aed-8806-d299c0ee6325
Windsor Regional Hospital needs to improve "embarrassing" handwashing compliance rates among its staff, CEO David Musyj said a day after the province's auditor general released his report on hospital-acquired infections, which are commonly spread through hand contact.
Musyj said the hospital's own hand hygiene audit shows that about 80 per cent of staff are washing their hands frequently under the hospital's heavily promoted guidelines.
"We were at 40 per cent back about eight months ago," he said. "Forty was horrible. Eighty (per cent) is embarrassing. We need to get to 100 per cent -- no exceptions."

BARFBLOG: Handwashing rates low in hospitals: report
30.sep.08
barfblog
Doug Powell
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/09/articles/handwashing/handwashing-rates-low-in-hospitals-report/index.html
In 2002, Jon Stewart quipped while hosting Saturday Night Live,
“If you think the 10 commandments being posted in a school is going to change behavior of children, then you think “Employees Must Wash Hands” is keeping the piss out of your happy meals. It's not.”
Apparently the signs aren’t working in Ontario hospitals either.
Jim McCarter, the province's auditor general, said in a report tabled in the provincial legislature that the results of a hand-hygiene program piloted in 10 hospitals revealed personnel were complying with the rules of good hand hygiene only 40 to 75 per cent of the time.
Time for new messages.
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=a554e528-961f-482b-a2b4-48fbb6193643

US: Hospitals to dirty-handed workers: we’ll be watching you
23.sep.08
Wall Street Journal
Laura Landro
http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/09/23/hospitals-to-dirty-handed-workers-well-be-watching-you/
When it comes to preventing infections in hospitals, one of the toughest challenges is getting health-care workers to wash their hands. Seems basic, but studies show compliance with hygiene rules is often less than 40%.
Now a company called Arrowsight is bringing to bear a Big Brotherish solution that has worked in food processing and manufacturing plants: a video surveillance system that measures adherence to hand-washing rules and provides hospitals with quick feedback on the laggards.
To pitch the system to hospitals, Arrowsight is tapping Suzanne Delbanco, 40, who most recently was CEO of the Leapfrog Group, the national coalition of large health-care purchasers that includes heavyweights like General Motors and Boeing. Leapfrog, created in 2000, aims to prod hospitals to provide safer, higher-quality care and reward them for a better job with payment incentives.
Though Arrowsight can’t yet say what it will charge for the watchdog service, Delbanco tells the Health Blog the company is working with a major academic medical center that she declined to name on a major pilot program. In an earlier pilot, launched in January of 2007, the company says its hospital video auditing service boosted hand-hygiene compliance to 90% from 38% in three months. The improvement was durable, remaining above 90% for twelve months running.
Hospitals have fresh incentive to at least consider such steps: Medicare and many private insurers won’t pay for the extra costs of treating preventable infections starting next October.
“There are lots of things that can only be measured visually that we hope to be able to use this methodology for,” such as protocols requiring nurses to turn patients at risk of bedsores on a regular basis and to follow specific rules for placing central lines and urinary tract catheters, Delbanco says.

The doctor’s hands are germ-free. The scrubs too?
23.sep.08
New York Times
Tara Parker-Pope
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/23/health/23well.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1222149607-x5OSySZnIiekqSTInfv75w
Barfblog Post
Many hospitals have stepped up efforts to encourage regular hand washing by doctors. But what about their clothes?
Amid growing concerns about hospital infections and a rise in drug-resistant bacteria, the attire of doctors, nurses and other health care workers — worn both inside and outside the hospital — is getting more attention. While infection control experts have published extensive research on the benefits of hand washing and equipment sterilization in hospitals, little is known about the role that ties, white coats, long sleeves and soiled scrubs play in the spread of bacteria.
The discussion was reignited this year when the British National Health Service imposed a “bare below the elbows” rule barring doctors from wearing ties and long sleeves, both of which are known to accumulate germs as doctors move from patient to patient.
But while some data suggest that doctors’ garments are crawling with germs, there’s no evidence that clothing plays a role in the spread of hospital infections. And some researchers report that patients have less confidence in a doctor whose attire is casual. This month, the medical journal BJU International cited the lack of data in questioning the validity of the new British dress code.
Hospital rules typically encourage workers to change out of soiled scrubs before leaving, but infection control experts say enforcement can be lax. Doctors and nurses can often be seen wearing scrubs on subways and in grocery stores.
Ann Marie Pettis, director of infection prevention for the University of Rochester Medical Center, says most hospitals are focusing on hand washing and equipment sterilization, which are proven methods known to reduce the spread of infection. But she adds that her hospital, like many others, has a policy against wearing scrub attire to and from work, even though there is no real evidence that dirty scrubs pose a risk to people in the community.

WASHINGTON: Hands down: hygiene habits remain stagnant
18.sep.08
The Soap and Detergent Association
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/hands-down-hygiene-habits-remain/story.aspx?guid={0EC0F7EB-6244-46DD-97E2-C58A90D1D5F4}&dist=hppr
WASHINGTON -- Americans Still Get a C-
Clean Hands Week September 21-27: Time to Prepare for Cold and Flu Season
Despite the threat of getting sick during cold and flu season, less Americans say they are regularly washing their hands.
The fourth Clean Hands Report Card(R), issued by The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA- www.cleaning101.com), gives Americans a "C-minus" for their hand hygiene habits, the same grade they received back in 2006.
The Report Card is based on a series of hygiene-related questions asked of 916 Americans during a telephone survey conducted in August 2008 by Echo Research.
Among the findings of SDA's 2008 survey:
-- Only 85% say they always wash their hands after going to the bathroom
(down from 92% in 2006).
-- 46% of respondents wash their hands 15 seconds or less. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and SDA recommends washing with
soap at least 15-20 seconds.
-- 39% surveyed seldom or never wash their hands after coughing or sneezing
(compared to 36% in 2006).
-- 35% don't always wash before eating lunch (in 2006, 31% failed to
wash up before lunch.
"Americans should prepare for the onslaught of cold and flu season," said Nancy Bock, SDA Vice President of Education. "Cleaning your hands regularly throughout the day can help keep you out of the doctor's office or the emergency room."
The CDC reports that each year in the United States, on average:
-- More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications.
-- 20,000 of those hospitalized are children younger than 5 years old.
-- 36,000 people die from flu.
National Clean Hands Week: September 21-27, 2008
SDA produces the annual Report Card to raise awareness of National Clean Hands Week, September 21-27, which touts handwashing as the easiest path to staying healthy. Clean Hands Week is sponsored by the Clean Hands Coalition ( www.cleanhandscoalition.org), an alliance of public and private partners working together to create and support coordinated, sustained initiatives to significantly improve health and save lives through clean hands.
More Education Needed
According to the CDC, cleaning our hands is the single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others. Of those surveyed by SDA, only 56% recognize that hand washing is the number one way to prevent colds and flu. Thirty-seven percent of respondents wash their hands fewer than seven times on an average day.
Educators Score Highly
One group which does not need as much schooling on the importance of hand hygiene is teachers, who were surveyed separately during the 2008 National Education Association Expo in Washington, D.C. Among 230 teachers who responded to on-site surveys, 97% correctly named cleaning hands as the best way to prevent colds and flu. Forty-nine percent say they wash their hands 15 seconds or more with soap; 91% always or frequently clean their hands before eating lunch.
How-to Wash Your Hands to Effectively Remove Germs
1. Wet hands with warm running water prior to reaching for the soap, either in bar or liquid form.
2. Rub hands together to make a lather. Do this away from running water, so the lather isn't washed away.
3. Wash the front and back of your hands, between your fingers and under the nails. Continue washing for at least 15-20 seconds.
4. Rinse hands well under warm running water.
5. Dry hands thoroughly with a clean towel or air dryer.
6. Hand sanitizers or hand wipes are useful alternatives if soap and water are not available (for example, when traveling in the car or taxi on the way to a business meeting, before eating an in-flight meal or snack, outdoor work settings, etc.)
While routine handwashing is recommended throughout the day, according to SDA, hand washing is vital:
-- before preparing food.
-- when eating meals and snacks.
-- after using the restroom.
-- after touching animals.
-- when hands are dirty.
-- when you or someone around you is ill.
SDA has a variety of hand hygiene tips and educational resources available on its website, at www.cleaning101.com/handhygiene.
The SDA Clean Hands Report Card(R) was based on a telephone survey, which queried 916 American heads of households (458 men and 458 women). The independent consumer research study was completed August 21-24, 2008, on behalf of SDA, by Echo Research. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percent.
A summary of the Report Card statistics will be available at www.cleaning101.com/newsroom/surveys.

WASHINGTON: Clyde's Restaurant Group's annual Handwashing Competition Team Rally
18.sep.08
Clyde’s Restaurant Group
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/clydes-restaurant-groups-annual-handwashing/story.aspx?guid={6A134CFD-0A64-4EF0-B1B4-C6B4AE1E66BA}&dist=hppr
WASHINGTON -- On September 24, 2008 at 8:30 a.m., the finals for the Clyde's Restaurant Group (CRG) Annual Handwashing Competition Team Rally will take place at Clyde's at Mark Center in Alexandria, Virginia. This 10th annual Handwashing Competition Team Rally kicks off with individual location competitions at the 11 CRG restaurants during the month of October. Victoria Griffith, Director of Quality Assurance for CRG, works closely with each location in preparation for the Finals. Each Clyde's restaurant location produces a championship team to go to the Finals on September 24.
The Rally is a much anticipated event among Clyde's employees and local health department officials. Experts at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention state that handwashing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection. With handwashing as such a critical component of safe food and safe employees, Clyde's strongly supports and invests in this event offering over $3,000 in CASH prizes with $1,200 awarded to the winning team at the Finals.
The Handwashing Competition has three components -- time, knowledge, and effectiveness. Like fear factor, the time and knowledge elements provide the intensity, but what typically counts most in winning the Rally is effective cleansing.
At the Finals, Victoria Decker Griffith will join the following judges in overseeing the competition: Ellen Schroth, President of Foodsense Inc., Nancy Preston, Corporate Controller of Clyde's, Yvonne Wilkerson and Ronnie Taylor from the DC Department of Health, Seyra Hammond of the Alexandria Health Department, Cassandra Mitchell of Fairfax County Health Department and Dwight Ponsart of Travelers Insurance Company.
This annual competition focusing on handwashing gives industry and public health officials an opportunity to interact in a fun way for a great cause... to improve food safety in the community.

INDIA: ‘1 in 5 Indians doesn’t wash hands before eating’
17.sep.08
DNA (Daily News & Analysis)
Madhumita Mookerji
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1190807
KOLKATA-- The next time someone offers you something to eat, be wary lest you catch an infection.
A survey conducted by the Global Hygiene Council, an independent body, and supported by Dettol, a Reckitt Benckiser brand, has revealed the deplorable hygiene standards of Indians (that’s what the story says – dp).
It found that a startling 18% of people do not wash their hands before eating, and even among those who do, one in 10 wash their hands with only water. Given that 50% of Indians do not wash their hands after coughing or sneezing, there is a high chance of picking up germs from the person sitting next to you.
The study also says only 10% of Indians believe that one can catch an infection at home. According to the results of the Swabbing Study, (in which the actual level of germ contamination across different surfaces in different homes in India was measured), 78% of the surfaces tested in the homes were found to be unsatisfactory in the level of bacteria contamination.
Leading among these was the kitchen cloth where 100% of kitchen cloths were heavily contaminated with illness-causing germs. About 90% of kitchen cooking surfaces, 83% of kitchen sinks, 85% of kitchen taps and 79% of refrigerators had a high level of bacteria.
The results are worrisome because, most people feel the highest risk of infection is from the toilet area. Only 6% feel the kitchen tap could be a source for germs pick-up.

Seven Soaper-Heroes search for the cleanest hands in AMERICA's classrooms
16.sep.08
NSF International
Ann Arbor
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/seven-soaper-heroes-search-for-the-cleanest-hands-in-americas-classrooms,542424.shtml
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Scrub Club's seven Soaper-Heroes are challenging elementary teachers and students across the country to lather up and demonstrate their best handwashing habits. On Tuesday, September 16th, the search for the cleanest hands in America's classrooms will begin. Created by NSF International, the Scrub Club(R) is a fun, animated and interactive Web site that teaches children the proper way to wash their hands.
"It is estimated that more than 164 million school days are lost each year due to illness," says William Fisher, NSF International Vice President. "Our hope is that the Clean Hands Game will help instill proper handwashing habits as we head into the cold and flu season."
Educators are encouraged to download the weekly handwashing charts (http://www.scrubclub.org/assets/pdf/cleanest_classroom.pdf) at www.scrubclub.org to track how many times each student washes his or her hands. The free Web site also features activities for kids, including an interactive Webisode about the Soaper-Heroes and their battle against harmful germs and bacteria. Educational materials (in French, Spanish and English) for teachers, as well as information for parents are also available.
Teachers can submit their handwashing results by fax, mail or online (http://www.scrubclub.org/info/classroom_form.aspx) by November 15th, 2008. All participants will receive a Scrub Club(R) Clean Hands Certificate and be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of the ten gift cards for classroom supplies. For complete rules and prize details, visit http://www.scrubclub.org/assets/pdf/cleanest_classroom_rules.pdf.
"NSF International and the Scrub Club(R) align closely with NSF's mission to provide health and safety services to the American public," says Fisher. "We think the Scrub Club(R) is a great way to get kids excited about washing their hands and a useful tool in helping to prevent the spread of germs in the classroom."
To view the entire news release visit http://www.nsf.org/business/newsroom/press_releases/press_release.asp?p_id=16300

PHILIPPINES: Wash those hands, stop disease, experts say
12.sep.08
INQUIRER.net
Thea Alberto
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080912-160271/Wash-those-hands-stop-disease-experts-say
MANILA, Philippines -- Twenty countries worldwide, including the Philippines, will go on an all-day hand washing event on October 15 to teach the public, especially children, the importance of regularly cleaning hands.
The project will be launched following studies that non-washing of hands leads to several fatal diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia, among others.
World Health Organization statistics show that every year, diarrhea kills some two million children worldwide while in the Philippines alone, there are 1.5 million diarrhea cases leading to the deaths of at least 10,000 children.
Aside from this, about 10 percent of children below five years old carry symptoms of acute respiratory infections while 70 percent of pre-schoolers are host to at least a type of intestinal worm.
However, officials said the number could be easily lowered if only children would be able to do the easy hygiene habit.
“Proper handwashing should be started at home. We must educate our children even at their young age the importance of handwashing,” said Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, Department of Health spokesman.