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 frequently, The Handwashing for Life Institute is providing a free, downloadable poster on its Web site at http://www.handwashingforlife.com The poster states, "Shot or Not, Wash Right, Left and Often." Space is provided to sign a pledge, "I will wash my hands often."
Jim Mann, executive director of the Handwashing for Life Institute, says, "Even if you have the flu vaccine, it is only 50 percent effective. A commitment to hand hygiene is likely to afford you better protection than the vaccine itself. Added handwashing also gives you added protection from a long list of foodborne illness threats, including norovirus, the number one foodborne pathogen."
Mann has long been a proponent of handwashing as a way to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, but the flu vaccine shortage has led his organization to highlight the public health benefits of hand hygiene, in general.
"Everyone needs to take responsibility for stopping the spread of germs, especially this year, and our handwashing poster and website provide specifics on what we can do about it. Teachers, employers, parents ... anyone can use and benefit from the handwashing pledge poster."
The Handwashing for Life Institute is devoted to advancing the science of hand hygiene with the purpose of reducing the risk of foodborne illness and other illnesses caused by poor hand hygiene. The Web site address is http://www.handwashingforlife.com .
Source: Handwashing for Life Institute
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.
Beyond the Surface: Rethinking Environmental Hygiene Validation at Exchange25
June 30th 2025Environmental hygiene is about more than just shiny surfaces. At Exchange25, infection prevention experts urged the field to look deeper, rethink blame, and validate cleaning efforts across the entire care environment, not just EVS tasks.
Streamlined IFU Access Boosts Infection Control and Staff Efficiency
June 17th 2025A hospital-wide quality improvement project has transformed how staff access critical manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs), improving infection prevention compliance and saving time through a standardized, user-friendly digital system supported by unit-based training and interdepartmental collaboration.
Spring Into Safety: How Seasonal Deep Cleaning Strengthens Hospital Infection Control
June 13th 2025Rooted in ancient rituals of renewal, spring-cleaning has evolved from cultural tradition to a vital infection prevention strategy in modern hospitals—one that blends seasonal deep cleaning with advanced disinfection to reduce pathogens, improve air quality, and protect patients.
