We know that it can be a challenge to keep children’s hands clean and germ-free. With teens, it’s not much easier. And with flu prevention and the H1N1 flu outbreak top of mind for parents everywhere right now, we wanted to get into the classrooms with our message of just how important good hand washing habits are to keeping kids, their friends and family safe from germ transmission.

That’s why we, in partnership with our fellow HCA West Florida hospitals and the HCA Foundation, launched a national campaign to encourage better hand washing habits to prevent the spread of Staphylococcu Aureus, a common, highly contagious bacteria that’s Methicillin-resistant and frequently harbors itself within a person’s skin or nostrils.

Local students have been introduced to the “Clean Hands Are Cool Hands Program” through public service announcements and an interactive website (www.cleanhandsarecoolhands.com) that features popular Hannah Montana co-star Mitchel Musso talking about the importance of washing hands properly to prevent the spread of germs in school. And Brandon Regional Hospital and its sister HCA hospitals are taking the lead to educate school employees, volunteers and parents, too, of the importance of making small changes in the home and workplace to encourage proper hand washing – steps like providing easy access to hand sanitizer, keeping soap readily available and verbally encouraging and reminding others to wash their hands regularly.

If you’re a parent and would be interested in receiving a copy of the free Clean Hands Are Cool Hands coloring book for your child,   call us at 1-877-4-HCA-DOCS (1-877-442-2362) to request a copy.

Hand washing is a simple and effective way to prevent the Flu – join us in spreading the message and leading by example. Wash your hands – frequently!