Drying facilities need improvement

MEDIA RELEASE 27 February 2007

Schools scrub up well in hand washing survey but drying facilities need improvement

Most children in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts have soap and water to wash their hands at school but only half have the most effective drying facilities, according to new research conducted by Toi Te Ora – Public Health.

Hand washing is one of the most single important measures to reduce the spread of infectious diseases such as gastrointestinal illnesses and respiratory viral infections in both children and adults.

The study, conducted in July 2006, involved auditing hand washing facilities and practices at 177 schools. Sixty-six Western Bay schools, 49 Eastern Bay schools and 62 schools in the Lakes region (Rotorua/Taupo/Turangi) were surveyed. The aim was to identify any gaps in school hand washing facilities and advocate best practice.

Overall the results were positive; most schools supplied adequate facilities for hand washing, all schools supplied water and the majority provide soap.

“Drying facilities weren’t as encouraging. Just over half provided paper towels for pupils to dry their hands on, 31 provided cabinet roller towels, 12 have multi-use towels or hot air dryers,” says Bay of Plenty and Lakes Medical Officer of Health Dr Phil Shoemack. “Ten schools provided no hand drying equipment at all.”

Hand drying is an extremely important part of hand hygiene as moisture left on hands after washing harbours large numbers of microbes, which can be transferred to other surfaces. This allows the spread of bugs, despite hand washing efforts.

“Thorough hand drying with paper towels, air dryers or both is the best way to reduce the amount of bugs. There is a risk of cross contamination if cabinet roller towels are used incorrectly. For them to work effectively, regular monitoring and re-supply of towels needs to happen,” he says.

More than half the schools had hand washing policies in place with another 59 wanting an educational programme or policy.

“Having adequate facilities is one thing, but ensuring pupils and staff know the importance of hand washing and how to do it properly, is vital,” says Dr Phil Shoemack. “Our staff will be getting in touch with schools to discuss options for educational hand washing programmes.”

The Toi Te Ora - Public Health survey has been sent to each school involved and recommendations include:

- That all schools move away from the use of cake soaps to liquid soap dispensers.
- The use and supply of multiple use towels in both staff and in pupil facilities be replaced by (in order of preference based on infection control guidelines)
o Paper towel dispensers
o Hot air dryers
o Cabinet roller towels
o Or any combination of the above.
- That all schools carry out regular maintenance checks on their facilities
- That all schools implement and have an educational hand washing programme in place and stress the need for controlling infection and what to do in the case of infuenza or other infection outbreaks.
- That all schools display appropriate hand washing and drying information aimed at children in their facilities.

Key findings for Eastern Bay of Plenty:

- Highest number of schools with hand washing policies (84%)
- Highest number of schools with paper towels (57%)
- Highest number of schools with hot and cold water (16 schools)
- Highest number of schools with cabinet roller towels (24%)

Key findings for Lakes district:

- Lowest number of schools with liquid soap (48%)
- Lowest number of schools with paper towels (44%)
- 73% of schools had hand washing policies
- Highest number of schools providing no soap or cleansers (5 schools)

Key findings for Western Bay of Plenty:

- Highest number of schools with liquid soap (80%)
- Lowest number of schools with hand washing policies (21%) but 75% of those without policies wanted an educational programme.

Dr Phil Shoemack says the benefits of thorough hand-washing at reducing the risk of infectious illness cannot be over-emphasised.

“When hands are visibly dirty, and at all times after going to the toilet, washing with soap and water followed by thorough drying is best. Alcohol-based cleansers can be as effective at reducing the risk of most infections in between times if your hands do not look obviously dirty,” he says. “However alcohol-based cleansers do have limitations and should not be relied on exclusively. All schools still need to provide soap and water and hand drying facilities."

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