What if there was one thing schools could do to promote health and happiness amongst students and staff, decrease absences, improve student grades, and support the well-being of the entire school community? As school nurses know, there is something…hand hygiene! Not only is hand washing highly effective at reducing the transmission of infectious diseases, keeping kids in school and learning, and increasing overall engagement and productivity, but it is also cost-efficient and a life-long habit that can lead students to a healthier future. Motivating both students and staff alike to adopt good hand hygiene behaviors requires education, accessibility improvements, and persistent encouragement from school nurses.
Educate
The American Public Health Association recommends that all schools incorporate hand hygiene knowledge, skills, and behaviors into their education curricula at all levels. Teaching faculty and students when hand washing is recommended, the correct method, and why hand sanitizers aren’t a substitute for proper hand washing can reduce transmission of illness within the school setting, as well as in the broader community. One of the biggest problems amongst both kids and adults alike is rushing the process. The best way to make sure your students and staff are washing effectively? Install Time Timer Handwashing Timers in school bathrooms or next to classroom sinks.
There are a number of additional evidence-based training materials available to help provide education to school communities on the importance of handwashing:
MacGill’s Handwashing Education Supplies
CDC Handwashing Promotion Materials
One of the biggest problems amongst both kids and adults alike is rushing the process. The best way to make sure your students and staff are washing effectively? Install Time Timer Handwashing Timers in school bathrooms or next to classroom sinks.
Accessibility
The COVID-19 pandemic shed illuminating light on the importance of hand washing and established hand hygiene as a pillar in infection control. Despite this, many schools continue to face spatial, logistical, and financial challenges in providing adequate hand-washing accessibility. Advocating for not only the availability of supplies, but also for the time students need to practice effective hand washing throughout the school day is an important role of the school nurse. Make hand washing inclusive by considering students with disabilities and those allergic to fragrance, one of the most frequently identified allergens.
Encourage
Along with making hand washing facilities, Time Timer Handwashing Timers, and other necessary supplies readily available, providing routine observation and feedback, reminders and rewards, and cultivating a school climate of health and safety, can all promote good hand hygiene thereby reducing the spread of illness and preventing infections. Posters and stickers raise awareness and can act as positive reinforcement in building healthy habits.
When Global Handwashing Day rolls around this year on October 15, use it as an opportunity to re-emphasize the importance of hand hygiene and the enormous effect it can have on keeping people healthy and safe.
