Using the management skills we have to get the compliance we don’t have. Financial risks for those serving food increase sharply where hand hygiene is not a senior management priority. Neither training nor science creates sustainable gains in handwashing compliance. That takes a management reporting system. Start with a Team Risk Assessment Standards are needed […]
The 10 Point History of Poor Handwashing
Compelling lessons continue with little effect on handwashing compliance. A 10-Point History Lesson of Poor Handwashing Handwashing has been trivialized for centuries. There have been events in the course of history which should have changed handwashing behaviors but didn’t. This review is intended as a reflection on today’s hand hygiene behaviors in response to these […]
Hand Hygiene Systems To Control MRSA
MRSA stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and the word resistant is what is creating the headlines. It has been a severe problem in Europe, particularly in the UK. Its appearance in schools in the USA is a reminder to assess key transmission intersections and install an integrated hand hygiene system. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a […]
NAFEM Hand Washing Champion
Handwashing For Life crowned a Handwashing Champion, Saturday, October 13th – the final afternoon of the 2007 NAFEM. Tracy Gates of the Busy Bee Cafe in Atlanta was declared the winner with a perfect score. The contest was held as part of the Eagle Group exhibit to highlight the importance of surface cleanliness and hand […]
Surviving an Outbreak… Maybe
A successful restaurant business takes years to build and can be destroyed by a single missed hand wash. “It only takes one person to trigger an outbreak.” Randall Todd, Washoe County Health Department. A South Reno restaurant, Jazmine, is trying to bounce back and regain its footing less than a month after being hit by […]
Earned Scheduled Inspections
Scheduled inspections convert the kitchen atmosphere from one of a raid to a classroom. Which is the better environment for transferring sustainable food safety knowledge and motivation? Olmsted County (Rochester MN) has experienced many of the benefits regarding scheduled inspections since they started their award winning (Crumbine Award) program in 2001. One of the key […]
Nailbrush Management Alternative
Could a recyclable nailbrush be added as an acceptable alternative to the sanitizer-stored procedure which has proven to be a deterrent to using the nailbrush. A nailbrush multiplies handwashing effectiveness and its use should be encouraged.
Minimize Prescriptive Code Writing
Handwashing has few standards because there is no specification for a clean hand. Soil has no standards because it varies so widely and so little is known about soil adhesion to human skin and its transfer profile. Operators have to sift through the grey science and determine what black-and-white regimens will be used as they […]
Handsinks Located for Compliance
Kitchen consultants/designers focus on providing the operator with a minimum of handsinks based on often creative interpretations of local codes. Their reason? Even the minimums are underused. Why put more in and reduce productive space? The Plan Review process continues the focus on minimums rather than worker convenience and compliance. Can the Model Food Code […]
The Handwashing Log
Decision making is commonly supported by information regarding performance versus standards. In managing handwashing there are few standards and little documention to guide improvements. Senior management is not asking for it hence few take handwashing seriously.What gets measured gets done. Operators in Maricopa County (Phoenix AZ) are offered incentives if they can demonstrate they have […]
