Regular Handwashing Increases Productivity at the Workplace by Reducing Number of Sick Days Taken by Employees
Nearly 80 percent of infectious diseases are transmitted by unclean hands touching contaminated surfaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In observance of National Handwashing Awareness Week, Harken Health, a health care company that offers competitively-priced health insurance with unlimited access to relationship-based primary care, encourages its members and the Atlanta community to wash their hands to prevent the spread of disease. Despite widespread acceptance of the importance of handwashing, a study featured in the American Journal of Public Health found that only 31 percent of men and 65 percent of women washed their hands after using a public restroom. Contaminated hands have the ability to transmit colds, flus and foodborne illnesses to others through actions as simple as shaking hands or handling items that others are likely to touch.
Studies show that handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of such infections. The CDC reports that handwashing reduces diarrhea cases by 31 percent and respiratory illnesses by 21 percent. A decrease in illnesses in the workplace can lead to an increase in productivity. Thus, employees take less sick days, and employers are responsible for a lower amount of healthcare expenditures.
“Handwashing is the easiest way for people to stay healthy and keep their families well,” says Hogai Nassery, M.D., Harken Health Center Atlanta medical director. “To see the most benefit, it is important to start teaching proper techniques as young as possible. With good handwashing, children can miss fewer school days, and adults can miss fewer work days. Everybody wins when more people wash their hands correctly.”
Workplaces have a variety of options available to them when promoting effective hand hygiene practices. If using soap and water, be sure to wet and soap your hands well, rubbing your hands together for at least 20 seconds (sing “Happy Birthday” twice). Hand sanitizers are also a good option, unless your hands are visibly dirty. The Tork Better Business Center suggests adopting a three-step hand hygiene program, which includes training employees to use correct handwashing methods, developing and communicating handwashing policies on how and when to wash hands and supplying restrooms with materials that make handwashing easy. Additionally, it is important to remember the times when handwashing at the workplace is crucial. These events include anytime food is involved, after using the restroom, using shared office equipment and during “meet and greets.”
About Harken Health
Harken Health Insurance Company is working to revolutionize health care by pairing unlimited access to relationship-based primary care with competitively-priced health insurance. An independently-operated affiliate of UnitedHealth Group, Harken Health offers innovative health plans for individuals and small and large businesses. Harken Health members receive unlimited, $0 primary care visits at Harken Health Centers; access to a dedicated, personal Care Team* available by phone, email, text or video visits; 24-hour, 7-days-a-week phone access to Harken Health Center care providers; complimentary health and wellness classes at the Harken Health Centers; and prescription drug coverage. There are currently 10 Harken Health Centers in Atlanta and Chicago. The company’s goal is to change what the world expects from health care, one community at a time. For more information, visit harkenhealth.com.
