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he Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued its Draft Guideline for Hand Hygiene that includes the recommendation that alcohol-based hand sanitizers be used when hands are not visibly soiled to help combat the spread of infection. In addition, the CDC Guideline recommends the use of a preferred product, accessible dispensing systems, and staff education and training to ensure that healthcare workers use products properly.
       This new guideline will have an important impact on your facility. It offers you a tremendous opportunity to improve the hand hygiene practices of your nursing staff, which can lead to a significant impact on patient infection control rates.
       The PURELL® PORTAL(TM) Program is a comprehensive hand hygiene strategy that addresses the three critical areas of hand hygiene: preferred products, accessible dispensing, and program support materials that make training easy. The foundation of the PURELL PORTAL Program is behavioral change--creating an environment where good hand hygiene is the norm, a practice that is reinforced by the daily use of a readily accessible hand-sanitizing product.
       Easily accessible side-by-side dispensing units, which offer PURELL hand sanitizer in tandem with a moisturizer, support the CDC recommendation to both sanitize and moisturize hands as a regular means of effective infection control.
       In addition to a variety of healthcare-friendly bottles, PURELL offers new options designed especially for the on-the-go healthcare professional. The PURELL Personal System (including PURELL Personal Pump and PURELL Gear) offers new portable products in ready-to-wear options: a lanyard that hangs comfortably around the neck and features a "breakaway" safety feature and a retractable clip that attaches easily to clothing.
       Today's long-term care facilities need both PURELL and PROVON® brand products to deliver the highest-quality skin care system at the lowest total cost. These dispensers (available in 1000mL, 2000mL, and side-by-side units) are economical solutions to hand hygiene issues. To maximize compliance and influence regular behavior, position dispensers throughout your facility or install them in high-traffic, high-need areas.
       Federal regulations for long-term care facilities require training and effective infection control practices. As a facility, you need to offer choices that not only reduce regulatory risk but also are proven to be effective. PURELL makes compliance both easy and cost-effective to implement and maintain.
       With the new CDC Guideline quickly approaching, the time is right for a winning combination of proven effective hand hygiene products.
       For more information about PURELL and PROVON brand products, call (800) 321-9647.