Handsfree Dispenser

     It is a great feeling of security when using a sensor-operated soap dispenser especially in a public restroom.  Even in the home having a touchless soap dispenser is essential when handling food, particularly  meats like chicken or fish.  Salmonella and e.coli from contaminated food can really make you very sick.

     There are two types of soap dispensers for restrooms and institutions. One type can be mounted like a faucet on the countertop. It looks like a faucet.  Other dispensers are mounted on the wall.  Both types use either a foam soap or a liquid soap.  These soap dispensers can be used in the home also.

     In addition to wall and countertop mounted dispensers there are models that stand on the kitchen, bathroom, or restaurant countertop.  These automatic devices use batteries that can last through many uses.  Any touchfree  step in the process of handwashing like sensor-operated soap dispensers eliminates some cross-contamination of germs.

      The media is covering the Swine flu, HINI, issuing reports and alerts. That’s fine.  We need to be reminded about the  1.7 million cases of “nosocomial” or hospital-caught infections of MRSA, methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus.  The Center for Disease Control estimates that there are 100,000 deaths annually due to MRSA infections. That is double the number of people killed in the Vietnam War.

       The CDC also figures that 2.3 million Americans carry the bacteria in their noses without symptoms. Once contracted, there is little that doctors can do with antibiotics or emergency oxygen.  It starts out with a stuffy nose, cough, and mild fever. The frightening factor is that even healthy, young people can succumb to it in 72 hours and die.  And now community acquired MRSA is showing up in gyms, prisons and other places.

        Hands that are contaminated, sneezes, and coughs spread the disease that is why we are getting advice through the media on how to prevent  MRSA.  Wash your hands before eating, and after touching public objects like money, shopping carts, and doors. Keep hand sanitizer handy.Sneeze and cough into your elbow instead of your hand.  When visiting your gym, be aware of germs and wash your hands and shower. Hospital caregivers and visitors must be reminded to wash their hands or use sanitizer.  A great invention are hands free door openers, especially for public restrooms. After you have washed your hands, you don’t want to handle a door.

      By now, we probably all have heard about the supebug MRSA, methicillin resistant staphlococcus aureus. It is prevalent in hospitals but has also invaded public gyms and other places where a break in the skin can be a source of infection.                                                                       

     Another less well known superbug is Clostriium difficile, popularly called C-Diff.  It is the mother of all diarrheas, a gut-wrenching, non-stop variety, accompanied by pain and fever.  Ironically C-Diff also lurks in a hospital setting  where the immune system compromised and elderly people are the most vulnerable.  Jails and prisoners have also reported cases.  The Center for Disease Control estimates that this microbe has attacked at least 225,000 hospital visitors in recent moths.

    It is thought that the overuse of antibiotics created C-Diff by eliminating the helpful bacteria in the intestine. Even harsher antibiotics are used to combat the illness.  At times those infected can have recurrences.

     Hospital patients, caregivers, visitors, and all maintenance personnel must wash their hands upon entering a patient’s room and also when leaving in case of cross-contamination.  The CDC says that handwashing can prevent illness. Hand sanitizer is also useful. Most importantly always wash or sanitize your hands before eating.

I am a huge germaphope.  I don’t like the idea of big messes staying on my hands.  Bacteria are an ever present organism that exists in every facet of our world.  I know that bacteria is necessary for the proper functioning of major processes in the ecological cycle, but I am not getting sick on account of the bacteria that could easily be washed off with proper anti-bacterial liquid soap.

I think that we should try to be as cleanly as possible and that is not saying a whole lot.  Before eating and after using the restroom are essential times to wash our hands.  Think about all the various activities that we do with our hands everyday and how much of it get transferred to orifices throughout our body.  All I’m saying is that I will be careful.