Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: washing + hand + handwashing  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/7/2008)

Hand washing in doctors remains poor AnaesthesiaUK, UK - Hand washing amongst doctors remains poor according to results of an Australian study. This is despite both local and national education to promote the ... Washington Post Hand Washing: Time Well Spent Washington Post, United States - Aug 4, 2008 For one thing, rigorous hand washing is time-consuming. Guidelines advise that we first rinse, then soap for 20 seconds, then rinse again for 30 seconds; ... As unhygienic as a hospital! VietNamNet Bridge all 3 news articles » Restaurant report cardS Waukegan News Sun, IL - No hot water available at the meat cutting room handwashing sink*. Air gap eliminated by placing foil on the drain piping at the utensil washing sink. ... Cleaning 'fails to halt NHS bugs' The Press Association - The main source of the organism remains other patients and staff in the wards and transfer is mainly due to insufficient or improper hand-washing. ... 9 firefighters feared dead in helicopter crash San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - Private companies provide everything from aircraft to water trucks to catering and portable hand-washing stations at base camps. ... Over 60% of health workers neglect hand-washing VietNamNet Bridge, Vietnam - Jul 31, 2008 However, the Ministry of Health said the percentage of health workers who obey rules on hand washing has increased remarkably from 10% to 38.7%. ... Birth Attendant And Maternal Hand-washing Associated With Reduced ... Science Daily (press release) - Jul 9, 2008 Mothers of the infants were given questionnaires the day after delivery and two weeks later to identify maternal and birth attendant hand-washing practices. ... Voice of America Hand Washing by Birth Attendants, Mothers Saves Lives Voice of America - Jul 8, 2008 A new study in rural Nepal shows the value of washing hands with soap and water in preparation for childbirth. Researchers found that hand washing by birth ... In awe of the longer life that's being lived thanks to the ... Irish Times, Ireland - "There are also hand washing facilities in the bedroom itself so the hygiene is much better." There are currently 18 CF patients in St Vincent's hospital, ... It's all hands to the pump Hartlepool Today, UK - Aug 5, 2008 The Four Seasons spokesman added: "Alcohol gels are not a replacement for good hand washing and staff are reminded to wash their hands before and after each ...

Why Is Hand Washing So Important?

A delicious mud pie, a good-luck rock, or a friendly frog are just a few of the presents children love to bring home to Mom and Dad. But did you know that behind these adorable gifts - and countless others - millions of germs could be lurking?

Kids may not always listen when you tell them to wash their hands before eating, but it's 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.

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
• through droplets released during a cough or a sneeze
• through contaminated surfaces
• through a sick person's body fluids

If kids pick up germs from one of these sources, they can unknowingly become infected simply by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. And once they're infected, it's 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 isn't too hot for little hands.
2. Use soap and lather up for about 10 to 15 seconds (antibacterial soap isn't 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 don't forget the wrists!
3. Rinse and dry well with a clean towel.

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 one's 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 doctor's office.