Handwashing NEED HELP!

[ASandRN]

So, this is my first post and I am a new grad that was hired only a month ago to be a district nurse! I am overwhelmed and unsure of this position, but none-the-less I am trying my best and trying to navigate my way through all my responsibilities.

Lately our district - principals, teachers, students, parents, & health staff have been debating about washing hands before and after lunch (especially in the elementary schools) vs. using waterless alcohol rubs or wipes. It is such a debate because the easy and less time consuming alcohol rub is not effective in terms of getting rid of the peanut proteins (which so many of our young students possess a life-threatening allergy to). We want to create a safe atmosphere, but also consider time, money, energy, etc.

the way everyone is voting (and I'd like to make my final decision based on facts and best practice):

Principals - "we've budgeted for the alcohol wipes" "let's do what we have planned"

Teachers - "too much time to have everyone wash hands before and after" "come on! we want the kids to be safe, but really? wash hands twice!"

Health Staff - "we are looking to you (ME!) for guidance"

Parents of students with LTA - "you better do what is best for our children"

Me - "what is best?" "wouldn't handwashing be beneficial in so many ways - teach students to be responsible and practice good hand hygiene, etc."

What do you think? Any resources? or experience?

THANKS!

[conscientiousnurse]

I'm by no means an expert, but it seems like keeping a child from ending up in the E.R. is much more important than saving a few seconds of time, especially right after lunch when they just finished their PBJs. Stand firm with your gut feeling, and educate them on the risks of anaphylactic reactions. Especially if there are any kids who are extremely sensitive.

[Neveranurseagain, RN]

Getting the students to wash their hands was difficult at the last few schools I've worked at because there was not hot water at the bathroom sinks--the water was ice cold. If this is the case at your school, I'd think waterless alcohol based hand sanitizer would be a better choice. And both schools I have worked at are completely peanut free--no PB &J's allowed! The policy is explained before school starts, and the "lunch ladies" look for PB&J's as part of their patrolling.

[bergren]

Here is a Mayo Clinic guideline on when to wash hands: Hand washing: Do's and don'ts - MayoClinic.com

You are teaching lifelong habits. If it is important to wash hands after playing outside and before eating anywhere else, it is important at school. Washing hands regularly at school leads to decreased respirtory infections and increased attendance for students and teachers.

Good luck!!!!

[Allie911]

I agree that handwashing with old fashion soap and water is the best policy. I also understand how hard it is to get all the kids to comply----and teachers too!! I would go with the hand sanitizer for the majority of the kids and see about having those that bring PB as their lunch wash up with soap and water. A bit of extra work for the teacher on lunch room duty, but we have a table designated for those that have peanuts in their lunch, so just that table would have to wash......

Good Luck!!!!!!