Business View Magazine | March 2020

120 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE MARCH 2020 Hand Hygiene HLAC’s hand hygiene sampling and testing program is unique in that it combines an assessment of hand surfaces and, yes, what’s under fingernails (rarely do training or procedures include a focus on cleaning under fingernails). Individual facilities are utilizing this method to evaluate alternative hand washing products/ procedures. There are a couple of aspects to the HLAC program, including random sampling at appropriate times and locations. End-of-shift is usually recommended followed by re-testing after employees wash their hands. What is encouraging is that the re-testing following hand washing generally has produced very low microbial counts. Data indicate that products/ processes used for hand cleaning are effective and once trained/alerted to the concern of hand hygiene, employees can produce the desired results. The hand hygiene best practices that are coming to light conclude that employee education on hand hygiene is critical; the importance of following manufacturer instruction when using hand-washing products; and that testing employees increases compliance with hand- washing procedures. The HLAC hand hygiene procedure is so unique that HLAC has patent rights pending with the U.S. Patent office. Water Reuse System Since the launch of the updated HLAC Standards in 2016, water consumption per pound being processed has been steadily declining. Conventional equipment can consume upward of 3 to 4 gallons per pound, whereas tunnel washers with integrated reuse systems can drop this number below 0.5 gallons per pound. The growth and reliance on water reuse systems necessitate that they get monitored for microbial contamination.