Emory JC Experts Endorse Initiative Designed to Promote Good Hygiene

With the increased incidence of MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphyococcus aureus) reported among Georgia students since the beginning of the school year, local physicians and infection control professionals are pointing teachers and parents to an informative, interactive website to help combat the spread of the infection.

Late last month, Nashville-based HCA, one of the parent companies of Emory Johns Creek Hospital launched a national education initiative “Clean Hand Are Cool Hands”, a fun, interactive program designed to teach kids the importance of good hand hygiene in the prevention of infection, particularly MRSA, a common, yet highly contagious bacterium that frequently inhabits a person’s skin or nostrils.

“The growing prevalence of community associated MRSA across Georgia is creating new challenges for the healthcare community,” said Dr. Alan Wang, chief medical officer at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

"We know that many public spaces including schools, fitness centers and locker-rooms can harbor the dangerous bacteria. Practicing good hand hygiene is undoubtedly the simplest, most effective method for controlling the spread of bacteria, including MRSA,” Wang said.

According to Wang, the Clean Hands Are Cool Hands campaign targets children in grades K-4 and teaches them the importance of keeping their hands clean by washing them thoroughly with soap and water or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

The HCA Foundation and the Steris Foundation teamed up with Mitchel Musso, popular entertainer and co-star of well-liked TV series Hannah Montana to create the Clean Hands are Cool Hands public service campaign. Mitchel’s popularity among school-age children and "tweens" is expected to help make the message a strong one.

Wang encourages parents and teachers to visit www.cleanhandsarecoolhands.com where they will find interactive activities for families, as well as professionally prepared curriculum for use in the classroom.

Emory Johns Creek Hospital also has available physicians and infection control professionals who are available to speak with teachers, parent organizations and other community groups to help educate the public about infection prevention measures.