Nemours Childrens Clinic Emphasizes Good Hand Hygiene

Nemours Enterprise
Wednesday, August 30, 2006 @ 12:00 AM EDT

In an effort to raise good hand hygiene awareness, Nemours Childrens Clinic will be conducting an experiment throughout the day on September 7 to see how well children and staff wash their hands. This experiment along with a demonstration of "how to" and "best methods" of washing hands will be conducted by using an ultra-violet light and a substance called Glo Germ. Glo Germ contains plastic simulated germs which is used to demonstrate germ communication, cross-contamination and effectiveness of sanitary practices.

"Kids may not always listen when you tell them to wash their hands before eating, but its a message worth repeating. Hand washing is by far the best way to prevent germs from spreading and to keep your kids from getting sick," says Eve Taylor, Risk Manager for Nemours Pensacola. "Not enough can be said about the importance of cleanliness, proper hand washing and infection control."

The First Line of Defense Against Germs:
Germs - such as bacteria and viruses - can be transmitted several different ways, especially by touching dirty hands or changing dirty diapers. Other ways germs spread include through:

• contaminated water and food
• droplets released during a cough or a sneeze
• contaminated surfaces
• contact with a sick persons body fluids

If children pick up germs from one of these sources, they can unknowingly become infected simply by touching their eyes, nose or mouth. And once theyre infected, its usually just a matter of time before the whole family comes down with the same illness.

Good hand washing is your first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses - and not just the common cold. More serious illnesses such as meningitis, bronchiolitis, influenza, hepatitis A and most types of infectious diarrhea can be stopped with the simple act of washing your hands.

How to Wash Your Hands Correctly

Here are some simple steps for scrubbing those germs away. Demonstrate this routine to your child - or better yet, wash your hands together with your child several times a day so he or she learns how important this good habit is.

1. Wash your hands in warm water. Make sure the water isnt too hot for little hands.
2. Use soap and lather up for about 10 to 15 seconds (antibacterial soap isnt necessary - any soap will do). Make sure you get in between the fingers and under the nails where uninvited germs like to hang out. And dont forget the wrists!
3. Rinse and dry well with a clean towel.

Use of hand sanitizers have been shown to be even more effective in reducing microorganisms when hands are not contaminated with blood, body fluid or are visibly soiled.

To minimize the germs passed around your family, make frequent hand washing a rule for everyone, especially:

• before eating and cooking
• after using the bathroom
• after cleaning around the house
• after touching animals, including family pets
• after visiting or taking care of any sick friends or relatives
• after blowing ones nose, coughing or sneezing
• after being outside (playing, gardening, walking the dog, etc.)

Don't underestimate the power of hand washing! The few seconds you spend at the sink with your child could save you trips to the doctors office.

More articles on hand hygiene:

• Why is handwashing so important?
• Handwashing
• Why do I need to wash my hands?
• Using Alcohol-Based Hand Gels Could Help Families Avoid Respiratory Illnesses

modified: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 @ 03:30 PM EST
created: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 @ 03:30 PM EST

About Nemours

Nemours, one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems, is dedicated to achieving higher standards in children’s health. Nemours offers an integrated spectrum of clinical treatment coupled with research, advocacy, and educational health and prevention services extending to all families in the communities it serves. Starting with Alfred I. duPont’s bequest over seventy years ago, Nemours has grown into a multi-dimensional organization offering personalized clinical and preventive care focused on children.

Nemours owns and operates the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware and major children’s specialty clinics in Delaware (Wilmington), Florida (Jacksonville, Orlando and Pensacola), Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr) and New Jersey (Atlantic City and Voorhees). Having recently received preliminary approval from the State of Florida, Nemours will establish a new full-service children’s hospital as part of an integrated pediatric health campus in Orlando. KidsHealth.org, the world’s most visited pediatric health care Web site for parents, kids and teens, is a project of Nemours.

Nemours employs over 4,400 individuals, including 430 pediatric physicians, specialists and surgeons who cared for approximately a quarter of a million children in 2007. The organization’s goal is to align with parents, physicians, community leaders, children’s advocates and elected officials to ensure optimal wellness for every child. Additional information about Nemours can be found at www.nemours.org.