Hand Hygiene

Proper and thorough hand hygiene, whether through the use of soap and water or use of hospital-grade, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, is the single most important practice supported by evidence to help eliminate cross-contamination and reduce the incidence of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs).

ACI Says Research on Triclosan is Distorted

Analyses of research finding extremely low levels of an antibacterial ingredient in waterways are distorting facts about its safety and effectiveness, according to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI). Researchers in Minnesota published a paper that describes their finding ...More
January 24, 2013
Posted in News, Hand Hygiene
Triclosan Found in Increasing Amounts in Freshwater Lakes

A new University of Minnesota study determined that the common antibacterial agent triclosan, used in soaps and many other products, is found in increasing amounts in several Minnesota freshwater lakes. The findings are directly linked to increased triclosan use over the ...More
January 22, 2013
Posted in News, Hand Hygiene
Survey Finds Americans Don't Wash Hands More Often During Cold and Flu Season

The current flu epidemic may cause Americans to rethink their handwashing habits. According to a national survey, 75 percent of Americans don't adjust their handwashing habits seasonally, even though the flu season strikes each winter. The survey also revealed most are not ...More
January 18, 2013
Posted in News, Hand Hygiene
DebMed Urges Better, More Frequent Handwashing as First Line of Defense Against Infection

DebMed®, the healthcare program of the Deb Group, a leader in providing innovative skin care programs for all types of public and workplace environments, is urging better, more frequent handwashing as the first line of defense against the current flu epidemic. According to ...More
January 18, 2013
Posted in News, Hand Hygiene
IntelligentM Selected Into the Healthcare IT Accelerator Blueprint Health

IntelligentM has been selected into the healthcare IT accelerator, Blueprint Health, which focuses on helping early-stage health startups build their businesses by giving them access to customers, capital and business development opportunities through industry partners. ...More
January 18, 2013
Posted in News, Hand Hygiene
Experts Offer Tips for Making Hand Hygiene Lessons "Stick"

It’s the start of a new year, and with that comes the classic tradition: the New Year’s Resolution. Why not make one of this year’s resolutions to finally knock hand hygiene compliance rates out of the park? This year, figure out how to make hand hygiene “stick” for your ...More
January 11, 2013
Posted in News, Hand Hygiene
Specialized Messages Increase Likelihood of Male Handwashing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 77 percent of males wash their hands when leaving the restroom. Recent research, published in the journal Human Communication Research, found that this figure increased to 86 percent among men who were primed ...More
January 11, 2013
Posted in News, Hand Hygiene
Study Quantifies the Size of Holes Antibacterials Create in Cell Walls to Kill Bacteria

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has initiated a quest for alternatives to conventional antibiotics. One potential alternative is PlyC, a potent enzyme that kills the bacteria that causes strep throat and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. PlyC operates by locking ...More
January 10, 2013
Posted in News, Hand Hygiene
Patient Empowerment as a Hand Hygiene Strategy

Infection Control Today asked members of industry to describe the importance of patient involvement in hand hygiene and suggest some best practices for implementation into an existing hospital-based hand hygiene program. ...More
January 4, 2013
Posted in Articles, Hand Hygiene
Back to Basics: Hand Hygiene

The healing hands of a healthcare professional too often bear the risk of spreading infection while administering care. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), failure to engage in proper hand hygiene is the leading cause of healthcare-associated ...More
January 4, 2013
Posted in Articles, Hand Hygiene