Helping Clean Hands Throughout The Community: PDI® and St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center Focus Attention on Hand Hygiene

Hands across Hot Springs, Arkansas, will get a lesson on the importance of keeping clean. In observance of the World Health Organization's (WHO) "5 Moments for Hand Hygiene," Professional Disposables International, Inc. (PDI®) and St. Joseph's Mercy Health System will sponsor and run community-wide educational activities for children, adults and seniors on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. The date marks the global launch of WHO's renewed push to promote better hand hygiene as the first-line of defense against infection.

Little Rock, AR (PRWEB) May 3, 2009 -- Hands across Hot Springs, Arkansas, will get a lesson on the importance of keeping clean. In observance of the World Health Organization's (WHO) "5 Moments for Hand Hygiene," Professional Disposables International, Inc. (PDI®) and St. Joseph's Mercy Health System will sponsor and run community-wide educational activities for children, adults and seniors on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. The date marks the global launch of WHO's renewed push to promote better hand hygiene as the first-line of defense against infection.

PDI, the leader in wet wipe infection prevention and patient care products, and St. Joseph's will present programs in schools, senior centers and healthcare facilities describing the most appropriate methods to maintain hand hygiene.

"We are delighted to join St. Joseph's Mercy in advancing this important WHO mission," said Zachary T. Julius, Professional Disposables International, Inc. CEO. "St. Joseph's sets the standard for innovative and compassionate care in Hot Springs and through our partnership with them we will support efforts to keep the community as healthy as possible."

During the day's events PDI's Director of Clinical Affairs and Corporate Training, Hudson Garrett, will share important information and helpful tips on hand hygiene. Programs will include:

Story Time with Cora™ and Cory™: The first grade students at Lake Hamilton Primary School will learn important lessons about hand sanitizing as a way to stop the spread of germs through fun, hands-on activities and a special appearance by costumed characters Cora™ and Cory™, mascots for the Sani-Hands® For Kids Antimicrobial Alcohol Gel Hand Wipes. The children will use a special "germ light" to see the before and after effects of using the hand wipes on their own hands.

Wipe Out Germs: Students at Lake Hamilton Junior High School will participate in an age-appropriate demonstration to complement and supplement their health class curriculum. Through the use of a germ light, teens will see the benefits hand wipes play in proper hand hygiene.

What's in My Hands: Members from the McAuley Senior Center and the children from the Garland County Head Start program will visit with Cora and Cory. Participants will learn why hand sanitizing is an important way to stop the spread of germs.

Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Providers: Employees, patients, and the St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center community are invited to meet Cora and Cory for an educational program focusing on WHO's "5 Moments for Hand Hygiene" - Before patient contact; before aseptic task; after body fluid exposure risk; after patient contact; and after contact with patient surroundings.*

"For everyone, no matter whether a youngster or an adult, the importance of effective hand hygiene cannot be overstated," said Anita Gottlieb, St. Joseph's Mercy Executive Director of Quality Management. "We are delighted to join with our partner PDI on the WHO initiative and help spread the word about the best ways to stop the spread of dangerous infections."

As the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system, the WHO is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

For more than 30 years, PDI has pioneered the development, testing, manufacturing and marketing of pre-moistened wipes as the optimum delivery system for skin antisepsis, hand hygiene, patient and surface care. With trusted brands including Sani-Cloth®, Sani-Hands® ALC, Sani-Hands® for Kids, Hygea® and Chlorascrub™, PDI serves the healthcare market through hospitals, physician and dental offices, emergency medical services, long-term care, schools and a variety of other healthcare facilities. Professional Disposables International, Inc. is headquartered in Orangeburg, New York. For more information, visit www.pdipdi.com.

** When soap and water are not available

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