A helping hand battling bugs
February 1st 2008 Coverage in Cleaning Matters'October issue led to a trial of the HYSO automatic door
handle cleaning system at Portsmouth Grammar School. The school thinks it can hep
reduce staff and student sickness – and has ordered more units
Designed for use on any highcontact
door where the risk of
cross contamination is high (e.g.
washrooms, medical facilities, care homes,
restaurants, educational establishments
etc.), the HYSO system comprises an
automatic,battery-operated dispenser
containing a canister of EU-approved,
quat-based aerosol surface disinfectant
which, according to the company, kills
99.9 per cent of a range of bacteria
including E.Coli and MRSA. At pre-set
intervals the system delivers a burst of
quick-drying formula that continues to
work even between sprayings.
Chris Frith, general services manager at
Portsmouth Grammar School, saw the article and ordered some units
for the catering staff toilets and a parent and pupil toilet.
"Our school prides itself on its high standards throughout the school
and I'm always looking for ways to improve the health and safety of our
students, staff and parent,"says Frith." When I saw the article I thought
that this product could provide an extra level of protection for
everyone. Then there was the fatal MRSA outbreak in some schools in
America: I felt that anything we could do at PGS to reduce this risk,
however small,would be a positive thing."
How did people react to seeing these units up in the school?
"Feedback was very positive,"says Frith,"especially from the staff." As a
result, he ordered more. "Apart from just installing the units, I think we
can use them as a teaching opportunity – to remind people how
important good hand hygiene really is. I am also thinking about
putting signs up to explain what the units do."
Publicly-available data show that the majority of people do not wash
their hands when they should and what doesn't get washed away can
get left on the door handle for the next hand to pick up and pass on.
"I think that these units can help reduce student and staff sickness in
our school, and if we can reduce both staff and student absence
through illness by even a few days a year, the system will have not only
paid for itself,but will have benefited the school's reputation and
helped to provide a healthier environment for all of us."
Available in the UK through distributor Arrow Cleaning & Hygiene
Solutions, call the number on the
right for further information. More articles from HYSO Hygienic Solutions: | 
