Dining out -- can't we all just get along?

Restaurant staffers, diners need to work together to make peace in the dining room Written by Tricia Colianne | MCT News Service History has known great rivalries: Hatfields and McCoys, Montagues and Capulets, Tom and Jerry. Fine adversaries, yes, but nothing compared with the epic restaurant vs. diner. The dining room is a minefield of delicate situations. One wrong step ... A clueless patron says his gazpacho is cold and demands another bowl. Or a presumptuous server takes the check and asks: "Would you like change?" ... boom. Disaster. The rub is diners just want to be pleased, and restaurants want nothing more than to please them. "We really are doing our best to make them happy, meet their expectations - exceed...

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Achoo! How to avoid the office bug

Washing your hands frequently is still the best way to ward off illness Every year you watch as colds and the flu pass from co-worker to co-worker, hoping you're not next on the office's hit list — and then you end up getting sick anyway.A weak immune system or plain bad luck might be to blame. But it's more likely that you and your colleagues unknowingly have a few bad habits that make it easy for a virus and its accompanying misery to spread in your office.If you want to avoid falling victim this year, infectious disease specialists say extra vigilance about hand hygiene, among other precautions, might do the trick."We know that some years (viruses) are more severe than others," says Dr. Neil Fishman, associate professor of medicine at the...

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Protect Yourself From Germs: Stop Germs From Spreading

EVERYDAY ITEMS CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH GERMS According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the H1N1 Flu Virus, other viruses, and staphylococcus bacteria and e-coli can remain on everyday items that you use and could remain on common items that you use for up to 8 hours or more. As we’ve previously discussed, proper hand washing can help protect you so washing your hands throughout the day is a good practice to implement immediately in your life.But what about other things that we frequently touch?  Items such as cell phones, regular phones, headsets, rings, credit cards, the pockets of our jeans, TV remote controls, doorknobs, and purses can also be contaminated with germs. Here’s a few helpful tips you can use to further...

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How long can cold or flu germs live on hard surfaces?

Q. How long can cold or flu germs live in counters, doorknobs and other hard surfaces? A. 72 hours. Some germs can live three days or longer on hard surfaces. That's why it's so important to disinfect surfaces like countertops, sinks, phones, TV remotes, plastic and hard surfaces often.  Q. What is the percentage of germs spread through touching of surfaces? A. 80%. That's why it's so important to clean surfaces often with disinfectants that can help prevent the spread of germs. Be sure to clean your hands, too! Q. Before you cough or sneeze you should...? A. Turn away from other people and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve; not into your hands! If you do sneeze or cough...

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Posted in: colds,flu,hard surfaces,infection control,pandemic,plastics

Office Products with Antibacterial Properties

Products with Antibacterial Properties Right now with cold and flu season in full swing, you may be wondering how to keep yourself healthy. You may already use antibacterial handsoaps, sanitizers, and sprays to keep germs at bay. But did you know that there are many office products to help with this as well? A number of items from three ring binders to lanyards are treated with antimicrobial additives. While these do not replace good hygiene and frequent hand washing, they can stop growth and accumulation on products you use every day.  As flu season is getting underway, now is a great time to start investing in some of these products. Less germs means less employees needing time off work while they recover...

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Posted in: antibacterial,antimicrobial,binders,office products,sheet protectors,staplers

Hotel guests leave plenty of germs behind

Hotel guests leave plenty of germs behind Study finds cold viruses all over rooms after sick guests checkout Many hotel keys are often reused SAN FRANCISCO — Hotel guests leave behind more than just socks and old paperbacks: A new study found viruses on TV remotes, light switches and even hotel pens after cold sufferers checked out. The germ testing was done before the rooms were cleaned, so it likely overstates the risks that most travelers would face. Nevertheless, it shows the potential hazards if a hotel’s turnaround amounts to little more than changing the sheets and wiping out the tub. “You sure hope the cleaning people were good,” said Dr. Owen Hendley, the University of Virginia pediatrician who presented...

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Posted in: antimicrobial,dirty,Door entry,GERMS,HOTEL,Keys,TRAVEL

What do toilet seats and ATMs have in common?

What do toilet seats and ATMs have in common? | Jeanne Moos (CNN) | January 13, 2011 It's probably not a bad idea to wash your hands after using an ATM. A recent British study found ATM pin pads were as contaminated as public toilets and the type of bacteria found was comparable.  Bad hygiene leading to dirty fingers contaminating the keypads are likely to blame. Although the bacteria isn't deadly, experts say it can lead to sickness. ...

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Posted in: antimicrobial,ATM,BANKING,credit cards,GERMS,TRAVEL,TSA

Germs Coat Hospital Badges, Says Study

Germs Coat Hospital Badges, Says Study Helen Carter, ABC Science Online http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/03/19/idgerms_hea.html?category=health Identification Badges and Badge Holders March 19, 2007 — Healthcare workers' lanyards and name badges can harbor pathogens including antibiotic resistant 'superbugs', an Australian hospital study has shown for the first time. Melbourne researchers showed the popular bootlace-like necklaces that clip to identification cards carry more disease-causing bacteria than standard clip-on badges, and are more likely to be contaminated with antibiotic resistant microbes. The researchers say hospital pathogens could be transmitted from the hands or clothes of healthcare workers. And infection...

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Posted in: BADGES,DOCTOR,HEALTHCARE,id badges,Identification,infection control,MRSA,MSSA,Name,NURSE

DOWNLOAD INFORMATION ABOUT ANTIMICROBIAL CREDIT CARD & IDENTIFICATION BADGES

Click here for our new sales flyer: ANTIMICROBIAL-CREDIT-CARDS-IDENTIFICATION-CARDS United States Patent Office issued patent no. 7,851,517 to Lisa Holmes for all manner of antimicrobial plastic cards and holders. “I came upon the problem during on a site visit to Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 2005,” said Lisa Holmes. She observed a caregiver bending over a veteran patient. This VA staff member touched the patient with her government ID Badge, who then turned and touched another patient with the same badge. The patent holder worked on infection control issues as industry rep to the American Society of Healthcare Environmental Services (ASHES). She also worked...

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Posted in: antimicrobial,BADGES,credit cards,DOCTOR,HEALTHCARE,HOTEL,NURSE,TRAVEL,TSA

ANTIMICROBIAL CREDIT CARDS, IDENTIFICATION BADGES

ANTIMICROBIAL CREDIT CARDS, IDENTIFICATION BADGES On 14 December 2010 the United States Patent Office issued patent no. 7,851,517 to Lisa Holmes for all manner of antimicrobial plastic cards and holders. Government, airports, hospitals, restaurants, retail stores, and security jobs can handle and be exposed to hundreds of cards per day.   Studies done in 2000 and 2001 showed that a few antibiotic-resistant germs could survive on plastic surfaces for three full months. “Any surface could contribute to the passing of the virus, which typically will live up to six to eight hours after contact has been made,” says Llelwyn Grant of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CD...

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Posted in: antimicrobial,credit cards,id badges