It’s Back to School and Back to an Important Basic: Good Hand Hygiene

Local medical experts endorse education initiative designed to prevent spread of MRSA

Cedartown, GA (September 26, 2008) - With almost a dozen confirmed cases of MRSA reported since 2007 and five confirmed cases in Polk County since 2006 among Floyd County school age students , infection prevention professionals are pointing teachers and parents to an informative, interactive website to help combat the spread of the infection.

Late last month, Redmond Regional Medical Center and Polk Medical Center’s parent company, HCA, launched a national education initiative “Clean Hand Are Cool Hands”, found at www.cleanhandsarecoolhands.com, a fun, interactive program designed to teach kids the importance of good hand hygiene in the prevention of infection, particularly MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a common, yet easily spread bacterium that frequently inhabits a person’s skin or nostrils.

“The growing prevalence of community associated MRSA across Northwest Georgia is creating new challenges for the healthcare community,” said Terri Aaron, Redmond Infection Prevention Director.  “We know that many public places including schools, fitness centers and locker-rooms can harbor the potentially dangerous bacteria.  Practicing good hand hygiene is undoubtedly the simplest, most effective method for controlling the spread of bacteria, including MRSA.”

According to Aaron, the Clean Hands Are Cool Hands campaign targets school age students and teaches them the importance of keeping their hands clean by washing them thoroughly with soap and water or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

The HCA Foundation and the Steris Foundation teamed up with Mitchel Musso, popular entertainer and co-star of well-liked TV series Hannah Montana to create the Clean Hands are Cool Hands public service campaign.  Mitchel’s popularity among school-age children and tweens is expected to help make the message a strong one. 

Aaron encourages parents and teachers to visit www.cleanhandsarecoolhands.com where they will find interactive activities for families, as well as professionally prepared curriculum for use in the classroom.  Redmond and Polk also have infection prevention professionals who are available to speak with teachers, parent organizations and other community groups to help educate the public about infection prevention measures.

To schedule a speaker, please call TriStar MedLine a 615-342-1919.

Redmond Regional Medical Center is a 230 bed facility, serving as a referral source for all of Northwest Georgia and parts of Alabama.  Including its healthcare partners, Redmond has over 245 physicians with more than 30 specialties and a support staff of approximately 1,200 associates.

Polk Medical Center is a 25 bed critical access facility that is fully accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC). Polk Medical Center has a medical staff of 12 primary care physicians, a number of specialists and consultants, and a staff of approximately 100 employees.  In addition to excellent emergency medical care, Polk Medical Center provides a full range of services including mammography, lab work and x-rays, CT scans, rehab, and other inpatient and outpatient services.