An educational program about
bacteria and the proper technique for hand hygiene for
elementary-age school children.
Schools, like hospitals, have significant
predisposing factors for the transmission of micro-organisms and
cross-contamination, such as a close environment, inanimate objects
serving as vehicles of transmission, and often, inadequate supplies for
hand hygiene.
MMI has
developed a program for elementary age students that teaches about
bacteria and the proper technique for hand hygiene. In tests,
our program reduced absenteeism in schools by 50% and was shown to
save $167.00 per year/student after students were educated on, and
practiced, proper hand hygiene. There are
nearly 164 million lost school days annually among kindergarten
through twelfth grade students, with an average of 4.5 days
a year per student. A report by the Carnegie Foundation for education
noted that 83% of teachers think absenteeism is the main problem they
face in school. This program
has been tested in the USA and UK, with results from the USA
detailed:
The Effect of a Comprehensive
Handwashing Program on Absenteeism in Elementary Schools
Maryellen Guinan, Maryanne McGuckin, Dr ScEd, MT (ASCP), Yusef
Ali, PhD
(American Journal of Infection Control
2002;30:217-20.)
Abstract
Handwashing is one of the most important factors in controlling the
spread of micro-organisms and in preventing the development of
infections. The objective of this study was to determine the
effectiveness of a comprehensive handwashing program on absenteeism in
elementary grades. Two hundred ninety students from 5 independent
schools were enrolled in the study. Each test classroom had a control
classroom, and only the test classroom received the intervention
(education program and hand sanitizer). Absenteeism data were collected
for 3 months. The number of absences was 50.6% lower in the test group
(P < .001). The data strongly suggest that a hand hygiene program that
combines education and use of a hand sanitizer in the classroom can
lower absenteeism and be cost-effective.
Cost Savings
Teacher Time
School Nurse Time Education
Hand Sanitizer
Activity Sheets
Total Cost Quarterly
Total Cost Projected Yearly
Control
$13,850 (277 hrs)
--
--
--
$13,850
$54,400
Test
$7000 (140 hrs)
$630 (18 hrs)
$72.50
$72.50
$7775
$31,100
Cost Savings
$6852
--
--
--
$6075
$24,300*
Yearly cost savings per
student: $167
Please
contact us for more information on how you can obtain this
program for your school or childrens' organization!
Videos
Below: As part of MMI's commitment to
community education, Maryellen Guinan was asked to volunteer with a
recent "undercover study" at a Philadelphia area elementary school
to test the impact of hand hygiene education on hand hygiene
behaviors. (Note this is a feed from NBC10 in Philadelphia.
We can not control the brief advertisements that play before the
feed, and we do not endorse any product or service from the ads, nor
do we receive revenue from the ads.) Also note, these kids are
pretty astute!
Below: Videos depicting Buddies Hand
Hygiene Program
Video Overview
The 3-part video on Buddies
Handhygiene Program shown in the flash players on this web page is accessible
for download here:
Schools, like hospitals, have significant
predisposing factors for the transmission of micro-organisms and
cross-contamination, such as a close environment, inanimate objects
serving as vehicles of transmission, and often, inadequate supplies for
hand hygiene.