Did you know that four out of five germs that cause illness are spread by hands?
That's right. And that's why cleaning hands is one of the most important steps health care providers - and all of us - can take to prevent the spread of infection-causing germs. Numerous studies show that infections can be prevented in the hospital if health care providers use proper hand hygiene. Keeping your hands clean is an important way to avoid getting sick or spreading germs to patients, coworkers, etc.
Please read the following tips and instructions on proper hand hygiene:
With soap and water:
If soap and clean water are not available and/or your hands are not visibly soiled, you can use an alcohol-based hand rub to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting. (Remember: alcohol-based hand rubs not effective against spore-forming bacteria as C. Difficile.)
Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
Make sure your hands are completely dry prior to putting on gloves.
Wash your hands with soap and water when you feel a “build-up” of emollients on your hands.
Health care providers are expected to clean their hands with waterless hand sanitizer or soap and water:
Remember, too, the importance of hand hygiene if you are providing care for a loved one at home or in the hospital. Clean your hands before and after every contact.
]]>Although a sanitizing product shouldn’t replace hand washing, it can further decrease the odds that you will get sick. In addition, because sinks are not particularly portable, it isn’t always possible to wash your hands. In these situations, a hand sanitizer is your best bet.
Typically available in a foam or gel form, hand sanitizers allow people to immediately reduce the number of germs on their skin. They are an easy and convenient way to protect your health and the health of those around you.
Alcosof Laven Gel is an alcohol-based Hydration Hand Sanitizer which provides Extra protection with broad spectrum of antimicrobial, perfect to eliminate germs, keeping hands clean and smooth on the go. It is specially formulate with saccharide isomerate, skin identical carbohydrate complex, that supplies deep hydration to skin, for up to 72 hours. This powerful hydration sanitizer, enriched with unique moisture magnet, gives longer lasting skin protection against dehydration, maintaining skin's natural beauty, leaving skin soft, smooth, refreshed, hydrated and healthy. Infused with 100% Natural Lavender oil, extracted from the flower of Lavandula angustifolia, known for anti-bacterial and antiviral properties. It also soothes skin irritation, burns and revitalize skins, the aroma from lavender oil give a calming effect that relieves stress, anxiety, depression and nervous tension.
Features & Benefits |
|
So if you are looking for a simple, convenient way to protect your health, reach for Alcosof Hydration Hand Sanitizer Lavender Gel. This skin-sanitizing foam is safe for people of all ages and 99% effective. It safeguards and soothes the skin, and it comes in a convenient, reusable plastic bottle with an easy-to-use finger-pump dispenser.
To purchase our hand sanitizer, refill bottles, or a combo set, please check out our online store.
The use of hand sanitizers does not replace diligent hand washing multiple times daily.
]]>
How Germs Spread
Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections from one person to the next. Germs can spread from other people or surfaces when you:
|
Key Times to Wash HandsYou can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
|
During the COVID-19 pandemic, you should also clean hands:
|
Follow Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right WayWashing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals. Follow these five steps every time.
|
Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label. Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However,
|
How to use hand sanitizer
|
Germs are everywhere! They can get onto hands and items we touch during daily activities and make you sick. Cleaning hands at key times with soap and water or hand sanitizer is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to those around you.
There are important differences between washing hands with soap and water and cleaning them with hand sanitizer. For example, alcohol-based hand sanitizers don’t kill ALL types of germs, such as a stomach bug called norovirus, some parasites, and Clostridium difficile, which causes severe diarrhea. Hand sanitizers also may not remove harmful chemicals, such as pesticides and heavy metals like lead. Handwashing reduces the amounts of all types of germs, pesticides, and metals on hands. Knowing when to clean your hands and which method to use will give you the best chance of preventing sickness.
When should I use?
|
Soap and Water
|
Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer
|
How should I use? |
Soap and Water
|
Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol, especially in schools and childcare facilities.
|
]]>
Disinfecting & Sanitizing, Educational
Why Disinfect? |
Almost every environment on the planet contains bacteria and microorganisms. You might be surprised to learn that on one square inch of skin there are more than 600,000 bacteria.1 Most are harmless to humans. But disease-causing organisms – called pathogens – can be dangerous or even deadly! Using the right types of disinfectants regularly on surfaces throughout your facility is critical in helping prevent the spread of colds, Flu, and other sicknesses. Since there are many types of disinfectants on the market, it’s important to understand how they work – including their pros and cons— in order to make an informed decision on how to best disinfect and protect your facility and the people in it. |
How do Disinfectants Work? |
Disinfectants are chemical agents applied to non-living objects in order to destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold or mildews living on the objects. By definition, disinfectant formulas must be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The “active ingredient” in each disinfectant formula is what kills pathogens, usually by disrupting or damaging their cells. Active ingredients are usually aided by other ingredients with various purposes. For example, surfactants can be added to a disinfectant formula to provide consistent wetting on a surface or to help in cleaning. |
Main Types of Disinfectants, Categorically Speaking |
Several broad categories of disinfectants are used in commercial and industrial facility maintenance. Below are several of the most common types. While not an exhaustive list, these cover the large majority used today. If you’d like more detailed information on the pros and cons of these types of disinfectants, please contact us. |
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats) | A top choice for disinfection in hospital and institutional settings because of their low cost and quick action against a wide range of microorganisms. Quats can be formulated with a variety of detergents to provide both cleaning and disinfecting ability. Nexteamwork disinfectant is an example of a quat-based disinfectant with both cleaning power and broad spectrum kill claims for many common and dangerous bacteria and viruses. |
Chlorine Compounds | Kill an array of organisms including resistant viruses, and are highly recommended for cleaning bodily fluids. Chlorine-based disinfectants are inexpensive and have relatively quick kill times, however they can be corrosive and cause discoloration as well as irritation if not used as directed. Chlorine Sanitizer II is an example of a chlorine disinfectant, ideal for use in healthcare settings and food preparation processing. |
Alcohols | When diluted in water, alcohols are effective against a wide range of bacteria, though higher concentrations are often needed to disinfect wet surfaces. The downsides are they evaporate quickly (and thus may not remain on the surface long enough to kill), they’re flammable, and they may not have organic soil tolerance claims, meaning they may not be effective when organic matter (blood, for example) is present. |
Aldehydes | Very effective against the bacteria that cause Tuberculosis, yet they need a high part per million (ppm) ratio to be effective for disinfection. Some bacteria have developed a resistance to aldehydes, and have been found to cause asthma and other health problems. They can also leave greasy residue and must be in an alkaline solution. |
Iodophors | Can be used for disinfecting some semi-critical medical equipment but they can stain surfaces and have an unpleasant odor (think Iodine). Idophors aren’t often used in facility maintenance anymore. |
Phenolic Compounds | Effective against pathogenic bacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as fungi and viruses, but also very toxic and corrosive, attacking surfaces while they attack the organisms on them. Some areas enforce disposal restrictions on Phenols. |
Hydrogen Peroxide | Often mixed with peracetic acid to achieve specific disinfecting claims. These strong oxidizers can be highly reactive if mixed with other chemicals or come in contact with various surfaces. Their efficacy range is somewhat limited and at high concentrations they are dangerous. All in all, there are much better choices than hydrogen peroxide for facility disinfecting. |
What to Consider When Choosing Your Disinfectant2 |
There are four primary considerations you should evaluate when choosing a disinfectant to best meet the needs of your facility. Answering these questions will give you a framework for helping determine the best product(s) to use in your organization. |
1. Effectiveness |
Does a disinfectant kill the microbes and pathogens that are of top concern in your facility? For example, you may be highly concerned about Staphylococcus aureus Methicillin Resistant (MRSA). Some disinfectants are EPA approved as effective against this bacteria. Nyco® Uno is one such disinfectant. Keep in mind that pathogens can have multiple strains, and disinfectants are certified for specific strains. Uno is also effective against Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) Community Associated Methicillin Resistant. Depending on your industry and facility type – healthcare, education, long-term care, hospitality – you will have varying needs and requirements. |
2. Kill Time |
How quickly does a disinfectant product kill a specific pathogen? Does the product keep surfaces visibly wet in order to comply with these kill times? Again, disinfectant formulas are registered to kill specific pathogens in a specific amount of time, and they need to be wet on a surface the entire time to be actively working. Thirty seconds to five minutes might be a typical kill time. If a disinfectant needs 10 minutes though, be sure it will actually stay wet that long. Alcohol-based disinfectants may vey well evaporate before their required contact time. Read and follow all directions for use and rewetting if necessary. |
3. Safety |
Is the product safe to use for people and safe for the surfaces it is being applied to? As you learned earlier in this article, some categories of disinfectants are toxic, some stain, others are corrosive, yet others have an undesirable odor. Check toxicity and flammability ratings on products, as well as any personal protective equipment (PPE) recommendations for disinfectants you apply. Be sure a disinfectant will not damage any surface it is intended for. |
4. Ease of Use |
Are the steps required to use a given disinfectant practical for your facility? Some applications require multiple steps that may not always be feasible. Water hardness is one factor that can impact the effectiveness of some disinfectant formulas. Sani-Spritz Spray cleans and disinfects in just one step, making it a top choice for an easy, ready-to-use use disinfectant that addresses a broad spectrum of bacteria, viruses, fungi and mildew in hospitals, institutions, and industry. |
It’s something most people do everyday, often without really thinking about it, but how you wash your hands can make a real difference to your health and the well-being of those around you.
Washing your hands is the one most effective method to prevent cross-contamination which can cause the spread of illness and infections. And many research studies have shown how improvements in hand hygiene have resulted in reductions in illness.
A look at research from around the world on the promotion of washing hands with soap, found that such interventions resulted in a 30% reduction in diarrhea episodes and respiratory illnesses such as colds. Hand hygiene interventions at elementary schools in the US similarly helped to reduce sick days associated with acute gastrointestinal illness by 31%.
The impact of good hand hygiene is even greater among people that have an increased risk of infection. A study from 2007, for example, found that patients with AIDS who washed their hands more frequently got ill less often.
But as our recent research shows, despite awareness of the importance of washing your hands, people often fail to do it properly. In our study, we observed how adults over the age of 60 prepared food in a domestic kitchen set up with CCTV cameras, and found that only 30% of people properly washed and dried their hands before preparing food.
We found that 90% of people failed to wash and dry their hands properly immediately after handling raw chicken. And that 62% failed to rub hands, palms and between fingers when washing hands. We also discovered that 47% of people in our study failed to use soap during one or more hand washing attempt.
We also swabbed the kitchen and found that those who adequately washed their hands had significantly lower levels of microbiological contamination levels in the kitchen following food preparation sessions.
Other studies have also determined that failing to wash hands adequately after handling raw poultry can transfer bacteria to domestic kitchen surfaces—such as the handles of taps and refrigerators. All of which highlights the importance of properly washing your hands.
How to wash your hands |
The World Health Organization recommends that to wash your hands effectively, it needs to be done with clean water and soap. Hands should be rubbed together for at least 20 seconds, followed by rinsing. Hands must also be dried using either disposable kitchen paper or a clean hand towel. The soap doesn’t have to be antibacterial to be effective—though antibacterial soap works on reducing the number of bacteria not just removing them. And research has shown that the use of non-antibacterial soap is successful for preventing both gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses. |
Dry them properly too |
Hand drying is also very important to prevent contamination from hands to food, surfaces and equipment as the transmission of bacteria is more likely to occur from wet skin than from dry skin. So the proper drying of hands after washing should be an integral part of hand hygiene. Drying your hands properly also removes a significant number of bacteria following hand washing—drying with a towel removes pathogens by means of friction, on top of the removal of moisture. Though this means that a hand towel can become a site for cross-contamination. Indeed, in our study we found that 37% of people used the same towel for drying hands and equipment. It is essential to wash hands on occasions when they may be contaminated such as before, during, and after preparing food—particularly after handing raw meat and poultry—after using the toilet, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and after touching an animal. This is important, because washing our hands properly can mean the difference between sickness and health. And for people with compromised immune systems it can even mean the difference between life and death—so make sure you do it properly. If in doubt follow the tips above and sing “Happy Birthday” twice to allow enough time to remove and rinse away any germs. |
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
]]>