FACT: Proper hand hygiene can signficantly reduce the risk of exposure to commonly-transmitted germs and viruses.
FACT: By maintaining good hand hygiene strategies, workplace and school-related absenteeism and "presenteeism" can be dramatically reduced.
FACT: Infection Control Professionals Prefer Foam to Gel For Antiseptic Hand Cleansers
The results of a survey conducted at APIC 2010, indicate that infection control professionals prefer foam over gel 2:1 for antiseptic hand cleansers. According to the Antiseptic Skin Cleanser End User Survey July 2010, "60% [of infection control professionals] prefer an antiseptic hand cleanser in foam form." Other survey results include strong desire for antiseptic hand cleanser products to be less irritating to the skin.
Current FDA guideliness prohibit hand sanitizer manufacturers from 'advertising' any claims with regard to specific pathogens that their products are effective against, even when those manufacturers might have independent lab tests to document the efficacy of their products.
In point of fact, the FDA prohibits hand sanitizer makers, marketers or distributors from incorporating any specific pathogen phrases or identifiers within web site content, including meta tags.
This is apparently because of FDA concern that consumers will presume that the particular illness caused by these germs will be completely prevented through use of the product.
Because germs/bacteria can be spread in a number of ways, no maker of hand sanitizer products can provide complete guarantees. If they do make such claims within web advertising or related promotional material, they are violating FDA guidelines, and could be subjected to criminal prosecution.
That said, we maintain that proper hand hygiene is one of the most important tools to provent the spread of illness. This why the US Centers For Disease Control and various orther organizations recomend hand washing, or use of appropriate hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available. An ongoing discussion on the topic of hand hygiene best practices can be found at numerous blogs on the web, including this one: http://www.handhygienefacts.blogspot.com
For specific information, please call us toll-free at 877-495-5678 or email us, and we'll respond immediately.
FDA Comments on Dangers of Alcohol Hand Sanitizer within the Food Service Industry
(excerpt below from FDA website; see link below for entire statement)
"..FDA guideliness for [alcohol] hand sanitizer products are not intended to apply to food establishments. This exclusion is based on the differences in controlling common nosocomial pathogens in heatlh-care settings and common foodborne pathogens in retail and food service settings.
FDA's Food Code contains the Federal recommendations for preventing foodborne illness in restaurants, grocery stores, institutions and vending locations. The Food Code contains specific hand hygiene guidance for retail and food service workers, describing when, where, and how to wash and sanitize hands. Alcohol hand sanitizers may be used only after proper hand washing.
[causing some to ask "if I've just washed my hands properly, why would I apply skin-irritating alcohol afterwards?]
Retail food and food service work involves high potential for wet hands and hands contaminated with proteinaceious material.
Published studies indicate that moisture on the hands will interfere with alcohol efficacy. In addition, alcohol has been shown to be ineffective against protozoan oocysts and, depending on the alcohol concentration, time, and viral variant, alcohol not effective against hepatitis A, or other non-lipophillic viruses...
Existing data do not demonstrate that alcohol-based hand gel effecitvely reduces improtant infectious foodborne pathogens at levels that occur on food workers' hands, especially if the hands are soiled with fatty and proteinaceious materials.
Scientific research questions the efficacy of alcohol on list hands and hands contaminated with proteinaceous material.
To read the full report click here
Facts about Hand Sanitizers and the topic of Swine Flu
Major health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommend that hand washing and-when soap and water may not be available, the use of appropriate hand sanitizer are integral to minimizing the spread of germs during illness outbreaks, such as the Swine Flu (H1N1).
The makers of Hy5® Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer have compiled these important public health messages:
Is Hy5® Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer active against Swine Flu?
While no hand sanitizer is indicated to prevent Swine Flu, according to the CDC, one of the ways you can help protect yourself from easily transmitted germs and viruses is by practicing good hand hygiene. Specific CDC recommendations include keeping your hands clean by washing soap and water, or using an appropriate hand sanitizer when washing with soap and water may not be available, such as when you're traveling or not in close proximity to hand washing facilities.
Alcohol-based products are typically ineffective against non enveloped viruses, and FDA guidelines prohibit makers of OTC drugs, including hand antiseptic products from "advertising" specific claims, or from displaying the results of any respective independent lab tests indicating the success (or lack thereof) against specific pathogens. But, those independent lab tests, and additional information can be provided upon request.
How do most infectious diseases spread?
According to the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene (IFH), the hands are one of the most frequent transmission routes for many types of infections, as they come into direct contact with known portals of entry for pathogens (nose, mouth, eyes). Therefore, proper hand hygiene is the easiest way to help reduce infections. Another way that some infections can spread is through the air, illustrating the importance of covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze.
What is the proper way to practice hand hygiene?
Use soap and water and wash for no less than 15-20 seconds.
When soap and water are not available, use an appropriate hand sanitizer. In August 2009, the CDC updated its position on the topic of hand sanitizers and acknowledged that many venues, for a variety of reasons, prohibit the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizing products, and as such, non-alcohol hand antiseptics can be [equally] useful.
How does Hy5® work?
Hy5® utilizes the organic compound Benzalkonium Chloride (a/k/a 'BAC', a/k/a 'BZK') as the active ingredient. We incorporate a "touch" of Aloe Vera for additional skin-strengthening and skin-softening benefits. The rinse-free, water-based formula is dispensed in a foam format, providing greater effectiveness and greater cost efficiencies when compared to alcohol-based gels.
BAC is a long-recognized antibacterial/antiseptic. As an antiseptic, it has the advantage of not burning when put on a wound, cut or abrasion, which is not the case with alcohol or ehtanol-based antiseptics, or hydrogen peroxide. When applied to the hands, the formula is absorbed into the outer layers of the skin and maintains residual protection (which means it maintains germ-killing capability long after its applied to the skin).
Note: MGS Brands and affiliated companies are not affiliated with the CDC or IFH.
