H1N1
Why do Americans Still Neglect Hand Hygiene

Since the H1N1 virus reared its head last spring, we have all heard medical experts say the best way to protect yourself is to frequently wash your hands with soap and water, particularly after coughing or sneezing, using the restroom, and before and after eating. But that message does not seem to be translating into action at a time when Americans are bracing against a world-wide H1N1 influenza pandemic.

To see if the H1N1 virus has impacted American’s hand washing behavior, Bradley Corporation, surveyed a representative cross-section of the American population about their hand washing habits in public facilities. Some findings include:

• 54 percent said they “wash their hands no more nor less frequently” in public restrooms since the H1N1 virus emerged.

• 87 percent said they washed their hands with soap and water after using public bathrooms, but other responses indicated that some might have exaggerated how often they actually did the job correctly. For instance, 55 percent also admitted they have on occasion just rinsed their hands before leaving a public restroom.

• 68 percent of parents said they believed their school-age children wash their hands after using the restroom. If that is accurate, it still leaves 1 in 3 children walking around with contaminated hands.

Coming Clean in the Restroom
With the threat of a serious infection like H1N1, why are so many people neglectful about hand hygiene? According to the survey, many cited the quality of restrooms.

When respondents were asked why they did not wash their hands before leaving a public restroom, they complained of nonworking sinks and unclean or crowded wash areas. Some however, admitted that they simply did not feel the need to wash–although 28 percent of them said they used a hand sanitizer instead. The primary reason respondents cited for not using soap, or rinsing only with water, was that the soap dispensers were empty.

Hand Washing in Schools and Hospitals
Facility managers in schools and hospitals can help encourage hand washing by continuing to improve their restrooms so people feel comfortable using their facilities. After all, when you consider there are about 55 million students and 7 million staff attending the more than 130,000 public and private schools in the United States each day, schools represent a sizeable group at risk of infection. In addition to encouraging frequent hand washing of teachers and students, facility managers need to ensure that their facilities–particularly restrooms, keyboards and desks–are regularly cleaned and sanitized.

While hospital facilities are used by many Americans in their own right, The New York Times has reported that poor hand hygiene has contributed to the high rates of infections acquired in hospitals, clinics and other health care settings. The World Health Organization says these infections may affect as many as 1.7 million patients yearly in the U.S., resulting in an annual cost of $6.5 billion and contributing to more than 90,000 deaths annually. Clearly, the importance of good hand washing practices cannot be stressed enough among school children as well as professionals in the workplace.

Making Restrooms More Inviting
For many, there is a direct link between restroom appearance and hand washing behavior. Just as the cleanliness, design and attractiveness of a restroom can influence a first impression of a school, health care facility or business, inviting restrooms can help encourage use. So, for facilities managers, it is important to ensure that the experience is a positive one.

If you are building or upgrading the public restrooms you manage, consider:

Hands-Free: Sensor-operated soap dispensers, motion-activated towel dispensers and automatic hand dryers are popular among facilities managers. With publicity about widespread flu epidemics, the public is especially sensitive to hygiene and wary of touching objects that have been handled by other patrons. Hands-free faucets can encourage more hand washing and help prevent infections.

Eye Appeal: Select warm-colored natural stone or ceramic tile. In addition to solid-surface lavatory systems in earth shades that coordinate with other accessories in the restroom, lighting is key in creating a welcoming space.

Universal Access: To improve access, use multi-height solid-surface lavatories that incorporate a standard- height sink and a lower sink. The lower sink makes it easier for children and those using wheelchairs.

Solid Surface Materials: Using solidsurface lavatory systems or countertops in restrooms promotes an attractive appearance while ensuring long-term durability and ease of cleaning. The integrated bowl design used with solid surface material eliminates crevices where microbes can hide. Plus, the material is naturally resistant to bacteria.

Inviting, functional and efficient restrooms in schools and hospitals offer significant benefits. In addition to making a positive impression on users, welldesigned and maintained restrooms can encourage hand washing thereby, preventing flu and other serious infections.

Jon Dommisse is director of marketing and product development for Bradley Corporation, a USGBC member and manufacturer of locker room products, plumbing fixtures, washroom accessories, partitions and emergency fixtures. Bradley serves the commercial, industrial, health care, recreation, education, and corrections markets worldwide. He can be reached at: 800.BRADLEY.
 

Back to top ▲