Northwestern Memorial Hospital's recent refurbishment program included a focus on improving hand hygiene habits with new equipment and product upgrades to the hospital's restrooms, according to a case study on the Excel Dryer website.
As washrooms were renovated, the hospital installed equipment and materials that were easier to maintain and helped keep the restrooms sanitary, the study said.
Used paper towels were regularly piling up in and around bathroom trash receptacles. Left unattended, dirty paper towels can create a breeding ground for bacteria, according to a study published by the European Cleaning Review.
The facilities engineering team looked into a number of electric hand drying options and consulted with the NMH Infection Control Board.
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