Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/653703
8 HAND HYGIENE Putting Hand Sanitizer in High-Traffic Areas Ups Use 528% By Heather Punke A hospital relocated its hand sanitizer dispenser from the side of the lobby to in the middle of the lobby and saw use skyrocket 528 percent, according to a study published in the March issue of the American Journal of Infection Control. Greenville (S.C.) Memorial Hospital conducted a three- week experiment observing more than 6,600 visitors use the hand sanitizer. e location changed weekly, with the hospital testing the following locations: in front of the information desk, in the middle of the entrance inside the revolving door and be- tween the main revolving door and the side door to the lobby. Visitors were 5.28 times more likely to use sanitizer when the dispenser was in the middle of the lobby. Additionally, vis- itors were more likely to use sanitizer in the aernoon or when they came into the hospital in a group as opposed to solo. "Visitors represent an additional vector by which healthcare-as- sociated diseases can be transmitted to patients, and thus visitor hand hygiene is an opportunity to further improve patient safety," said the study authors. "e study suggests many future research opportunities, including investigation into the effect of group dy- namics and social pressure on visitor hand sanitizer utilization to identify strategies for improving visitor hand hygiene." n Are Hand Dryers Doing More Harm Than Good? 3 Things to Know By Brian Zimmerman H igh-speed jet air dryers commonly found in public restrooms are germ-spreading machines, according to a new study published in the Jour- nal of Applied Microbiology. "We often say that hand-washing is the key to pre- venting the spread of illness. But wet hands increase the risk of transmitting bacteria, so drying is an equally important step in prevention," Theresa Lash-Ritter, MD, urgent care specialist at Cleveland Clinic, said in a Cleveland Clinic article. For the study, microbiologists from the University of Westminster in London compared three hand-drying methods (paper towels, warm air dryers and jet air dry- ers) to examine their potential virus and germ spreading abilities. Here are three things to know about hand drying. 1. Beware the jet: According to the study, the jet air dryer spread 20 times more viruses than the warm air dryer and upwards of 190 times more than paper towels. 2. Look out below: In regards to the jet air dryer, the virus dispersal's impact was greatest at 2.5 to 4.1 feet — so about face level for small children. 3. Tried and true: Paper towels proved the most effec- tive drying method in terms of sanitation and speed. "Drying your hands with paper towels not only dries them faster, but the friction also dislodges bacteria to leave them cleaner," said Dr. Lash-Ritter. n BECKER'S CEO + CFO ROUNDTABLE save the date november 7-9, 2016 swissotel, chicago Call 1.800.417.2035 or email registration@beckershealthcare.com