Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008 - (Page 12)

rEStrooMS (continued from page 9) napkins. Sanitary Napkin Disposal in Hotel Restrooms Many facilities are now selecting more hygienic alternatives to the old swingtop sanitary napkin dispensers. Some new systems do not have to be touched by the user, helping to stop cross contamination. potential health risks. Like most public facilities, the ladies rooms in hotels typically have swing-top dispensers for disposal of feminine hygiene products. Sometimes these will have liners, which can help make it easier and safer for hotel housekeepers to service these bins. But, according to Moriarty, “More often than not, there is no liner, housekeepers do not wear gloves or protective clothing when emptying bins, and the swing-top edges of these bins may not be cleaned or cleaned thoroughly enough, making these little dispensers big breeding grounds for potentially harmful germs and bacteria not only for housekeepers, but for users as well.” In fact, private and public disease-control organizations, along with public health advisories, have found a link between the improper handling of soiled sanitary napkins and hepatitis B, and other serious liver diseases. “This is not something to take lightly,” says Moriarty, “Especially in hotels, airports, and other busy areas used by people from all over the world, these dispensers and sanitary napkins must be handled carefully and properly.” It is for this reason that Moriarty says many facilities are now selecting more hygienic alternatives to the old swing-top dispensers. Some new systems do not have to be touched by the user, helping to stop cross contamination. Instead, they are foot-pedal operated or use infrared sensor technology to open and close. Additionally, restroom hygiene services, such as Moriarty’s, have become more popular in the United States and in Europe—these services maintain the dispensers, eliminate the need for hotel housekeepers to clean them, and allow them to avoid Hygienic Hand Drying Along with making sanitary napkin disposal more hygienic for both staff and visitors, hotels and other large public facilities would like to make hand drying hygienic and more environmentally-responsible as well. “Facility and hotel managers like electric hand dryers because they help eliminate the cost of [and need for] paper and make the cleaning professional’s job easier,” says Moriarty. “The problem has always been that the user typically does not like them.” One reason for this is that electric hand dryers can take a long time to work—as much as 45 seconds or more—and users simply do not want to take that much time. Also, most systems have poor or no air-filtering systems. This means dirty or contaminated air coming into the unit is then forced back into the air and onto the hands of the user. New technologies are addressing both of these issues. One of the newest electric hand drying systems now has a HEPA filter, which traps more than 99.9 percent of airborne contaminants, protecting indoor air quality and the user’s hands. Additionally, some units have replaced high heat with pressurized air traveling as fast as 400 miles per hour. “These units can dry hands in as little as 12 seconds,” explains Moriarty. “And they require less energy than conventional systems, making them less expensive to operate as well.” Now It’s Up to the User At one time, people simply did not know how health-harming germs and bacteria were spread. But, it eventually became increasingly clear that proper cleaning and hygiene were necessary to stop cross contamination. Fortunately, members of the cleaning industry have become more aware that they are not only in the cleaning industry, but part of the healthcare industry as well. “Of course, cleaning professionals still clean for appearance,” says Moriarty. “But protecting health is now the top concern.” Now it’s up to the restroom patrons to do their part. Although most people are aware of the importance of proper hand washing and restroom hygiene, studies continue to show that most still do not wash their hands after using a public restroom. But Moriarty indicates that simply by installing more hygienic sanitary napkin and hand-drying systems, facility managers can remind patrons that they must do their part to protect their own health and the health of others. W Dawn Shoemaker is a researcher and writer for the professional cleaning, healthcare, building, and hospitality industries. She may be reached by calling 773-525-3021. 2 Executive Housekeeping Today/December 2008

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Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008 Contents Executive Corner Microfiber May Impede an Infectious Disease Outbreak Controlling MRSA Outbreaks in Educational Facilities Frugal Housekeeper Restroom Hygiene IEHA Hosts Progressive Integrated Cleaning and Measurement (ICM)™ Symposium Feature Article The Green Scene 2006-2008 EHT Article Index USGBC Tip Product Highlights New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members REH/CEH Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside IEHA What IEHA Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008

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