Soon a number of hand sanitizing stations will be installed at Wege Cafeteria. Aquinas College nursing student Chris Olsen mentioned the idea to Creative Dining Services, and with little hassle the stations were purchased currently wait for installation.

The simple luxury of hand washing, according to the Center for Disease Control, is commonly known to be the single most effective way to prevent the transmission of disease. To prevent disease, the CDC recommends washing hands vigorously for fifteen seconds with warm soapy water. The CDC estimates that 76 million Americans get a food-borne illness each year that could have possibly been prevented by adequate hand washing.

Relating the practice of hand washing to health care cases the CDC noted, “Studies also have shown that the prevalence of health care-associated infections decreased as hand hygiene measures improved.”

“Less spread of viruses and bacteria,” Olsen noted, “means healthier students and staff.” “Research has shown that hand washing is the best protection from the spread of infection and that alcohol sanitizers are very effective, if used.”

Some studies have shown that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are more effective in killing disease causing bacteria and viruses.

Similar stations were installed in the residence hall weight rooms last year when other Aquinas College nursing students working on projects in community health found cultures of MRSA on the equipment.

MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a type of staph infection most common in hospital patients who undergo invasive medical procedures but also can be transmitted in a community setting by simple skin contact or shared surface contact.

The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research encourages washing hands:
-After using the toilet
-After changing a diaper - wash the diaper-wearer’s hands, too
-After touching animals or animal waste
-Before and after preparing food, especially before and immediately after handling raw meat, poultry or fish
-Before eating
-After blowing your nose
-After coughing or sneezing into your hands
-Before and after treating wounds or cuts
-Before and after touching a sick or injured person
-After handling garbage
-Before inserting or removing contact lenses
-When using public restrooms, such as those in airports, train stations, bus stations and restaurants.