Did you know that 95% of adults don’t wash their hands for long enough to remove bacteria and viruses, and they can remain on hands after washing. So where do those remaining bacteria and viruses go when using a jet air dryer?
In the hospitality industry, hand hygiene is critical. One of the most important areas to keep clean are public restrooms, frequented on a daily basis by both employees and customers. Maintaining optimal hygiene in these areas may be compromised if the bathroom features one or more jet air dryers.
Jet air dryers force users to share bacteria and viruses. When drying hands with a jet air dryer, water droplets that could contain bacteria and viruses are dispersed into the air, traveling as far as two metres feet and lingering in the air for up to 15 min. With a Jet Air Dryer, hands are more likely to be re-contaminated during the drying process, which could lead to increased spread of potential pathogens. Hand Hygiene is a big concern in the industry as this can contribute to contamination events and outbreaks.
Paper towels, however, allow users to dry their hands quickly and thoroughly. In fact, paper towels are the recommended hand drying method of the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care. A review article published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings determined that air dryers cause cross contamination, deeming them unsuitable for hospitals and clinics, where hygiene is paramount.
Single-use towels reduce bacteria on hands, removing up to 77% of the bacteria that remains after washing. Kleenex® and Scott® hand towels provide you with a fast, effective and gentle hand dry with AIRFLEX® technology allowing you to dry your hands in under 10 seconds, so you can get back to what matters most. Find out more about what Kleenex® Brand has to offer your healthcare facility.
