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).

CDC and the Clean Hands Coalition Highlight Shining Soaper-Stars

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Clean Hands Coalition highlight several resources for parents and educators to promote good handwashing to help protect children from illness this cold and flu season. Nearly 22 million school days are lost ...More
December 13, 2004
Posted in News, Environmental Hygiene, Hand Hygiene
Free Flu-Shot Shortage Poster Now Available

AKRON, Ohio -- GOJO Industries, a longtime leader in hand hygiene products, announces the release of a downloadable poster aimed at helping to improve infection control during the winter season. The poster can be downloaded, printed and displayed in high-traffic areas, ...More
November 30, 2004
Posted in News, Environmental Hygiene, Hand Hygiene
Kimberly-Clark Professional Offers Web-Based Guides for Health and Hygiene

ROSWELL, Ga. -- Kimberly-Clark Professional introduces Workplace Wellness Guides, a series of web-based guides relating to health and hygiene issues in away-from-home settings. The guides are available for downloading and printing at ...More
November 12, 2004
Posted in News, Environmental Hygiene, Hand Hygiene
3M Health Care Offers Poster Advising What to Do to Stay Healthy During Cold and Cough Season

With the current flu vaccine shortage, proper cough etiquette and good hand hygiene is more important than ever. 3M Health Care, the manufacturer of hand antiseptics and patient-care masks, has created a poster in English and Spanish instructing persons to cover their ...More
November 5, 2004
Posted in News, Environmental Hygiene, Hand Hygiene
Handwashing For Life Institute Offers Free Poster; Encourages Handwashing as Prevention Step to Ward Off Flu

CHICAGO -- With the flu vaccine shortage this year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have advised Americans, "Hand washing is the most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick." As a reminder and incentive for individuals to wash their hands more ...More
November 5, 2004
Posted in News, Environmental Hygiene, Hand Hygiene
More Than 2,000 of the World's Leading Infectious Disease Specialists Convene to Discuss Global Health Threats

NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- More than 2,000 researchers, physicians and scientists from around the world are scheduled to meet at the 53rd American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH)Annual Meeting on Nov. 7-11, in Miami, Fla. to present and discuss the latest study ...More
November 4, 2004
Posted in News, Environmental Hygiene, Hand Hygiene
Secret Handwashing Observation is Part of One Hospital’s Waron Germs

Secret Handwashing Observation is Part of One Hospital’s War on Germs By Kelly M. Pyrek If you’re a healthcare worker and you haven’t been washing your hands, chances are someone at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill. is watching and making a note of it. This ...More
November 1, 2004
Posted in Articles, Environmental Hygiene, Hand Hygiene, PPE & Standard Precautions
Infection Control Today - 11/2004: References

“EMERGING INFECTIOUS THREAT: PRESENT AND FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND DRUG-RESISTANT PATHOGENS,” BY KRIS ELLIS, PAGE 12. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/surv&controlCaseCount04_detailed.htm. Brewer TF, Heymann SJ. “To control and ...More
November 1, 2004
Posted in Articles, Disinfection & Sterilization, Hand Hygiene, PPE & Standard Precautions
Ensuring Barrier Protection

A New Generation of Latex Gloves Greatly Reduces Protein Allergy Risk By Esah S. Yip, DSc Disposable medical gloves are often a healthcare worker (HCW)’s only barrier against blood and other fluids that can spread infectious diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis B. That makes ...More
November 1, 2004
Posted in Articles, Environmental Hygiene, Hand Hygiene, PPE & Standard Precautions
The Proper Fit for PPE

The Proper Fit for PPE By John Roark Gowns, gloves and masks cannot protect you if they do not properly fit. Protect yourself — and your patient — by suiting up smart. The bottom line with all personal protective equipment (PPE) is that it must be user-friendly, says Geri ...More
November 1, 2004
Posted in Articles, Hand Hygiene, PPE & Standard Precautions