What We Know About the hMPXV Virus Part III

By: Keith Schneringer |  August 8, 2022

To wrap up this three-part blog series we will be walking you through identifying disinfectants that can inactivate the hMPXV virus and disinfecting best practices to keep your facility safe against the hMPXV virus. In our previous two blogs we provided a hMPXV overview that includes important info relating to infection prevention protocols, history, symptoms, transmission, prevention, and effective infection control strategies. 

• What We Know About the hMPXV Virus (aka "monkeypox") Part I
• What We Know About the hMPXV Virus (aka "monkeypox") Part II

Topics: virus, workplace wellness, Health, Infection Prevention

What We Know About the hMPXV Virus (aka "monkeypox") Part II

By: Keith Schneringer |  July 26, 2022 

In this second article of this three-part blog series, we will be explaining infection prevention protocols, and effective disinfecting criteria you can use to combat the hMPXV virus. Before jumping into this second part, be sure to check out the first article that discussed the history, symptoms and methods of transmission of the virus.

Topics: virus, workplace wellness, Health, Infection Prevention

What We Know About the hMPXV Virus (aka "monkeypox")

By: Keith Schneringer |  July 13, 2022 

In this three part blog series, we will be discussing what we know so far about the hMPXV virus (aka "monkeypox"). The hMPXV virus has emerged in headlines on a global scale and it is important to understand the facts in order to prevent the spread of this virus. The main purpose of this blog is to provide useful information about the virus such as its history, symptoms, transmission, prevention, and effective infection control strategies.

Topics: virus, workplace wellness, Health, Infection Prevention

Promoting Quality & Safety in the Workplace with Healthy Hand Hygiene

By: Caitlin Dimalanta  |  May 3, 2022 

The past few years have presented the world with harrowing opportunities for improvement. One of the main areas we have collectively strived to get better at deals with hand hygiene. Thursday May 5th, 2022 is recognized as World Hand Hygiene Day. This year’s theme, “Unite for safety: clean your hands” is a short and sweet reminder to work together to create a safer and healthier environment for our community with good hand hygiene.

While typically this day focuses on those in the healthcare industry, the value of practicing good hand hygiene applies to all of us.

Facility managers continue to play an integral role that directly affects the well-being of their building occupants and ultimately the general public. The combination of the appropriate tools, proper training and processes contribute to healthy hand hygiene. 

Topics: Hand Hygiene, Restroom Care, Infection Prevention

EPA Emerging Viral Pathogens & Hard Surface Disinfectants

What Disinfectant Cleaners Can Be Used Against COVID-19 & Other Viruses

By: WAXIE Editorial Staff  |  April 16, 2020

At present, the virus responsible for COVID-19 is not on any EPA registered product lists, and therefore there is not a disinfectant which can make a specific claim to be effective against this new virus. However respiratory illnesses attributable to COVID-19 are caused by a coronavirus, and WAXIE can provide several broad-spectrum hard surface disinfectants that have been shown to be effective against other similar viruses, such as Human Coronavirus, SARS associated Coronavirus, Porcine Respiratory & Reproductive Syndrome Virus (PRRSV), and/or have been shown to be effective against viruses which are more difficult to inactivate such as Rotavirus, Rhinovirus Type 37, and Norovirus.

When used in accordance with the directions on the label for each associated product, these hard surface disinfectants have been shown to be effective against the virus (or viruses) referenced on the master label for that product. Each disinfectant listed has already successfully gone through, or is in the process of going through, the protocol for the EPA Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Pesticides.¹

Topics: workplace wellness, disinfecting, cleaning tips, Infection Prevention, COVID-19

2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Overview

By: WAXIE Editorial Staff  |  January 30, 2020

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),¹ 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-NCoV) is a new virus which has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness in Wuhan City, Huebei Province in China. The earliest reported cases had a link to a large seafood and animal market in Wuhan, suggesting an initial animal-to-person spread, however a growing number of subsequent patients have not had exposure to animal markets, indicating that a person-to-person spread may be occurring.¹

Topics: Health, industry news, Infection Prevention

Can Bulk Soap Be Contaminated?

How Does it Happen? Bacteria from fecal matter & other sources can grow inside the dispenser.

By: Keith Schneringer  |  July 3, 2019

The sad truth is that soap from bulk soap dispensers is prone to becoming contaminated.

According to recent studies, contaminated soap may actually do the opposite of what they're supposed to do. Instead of removing germs, they may be adding some!

Think about it – in order to refill a bulk soap dispenser, the dispenser and the left over soap remaining inside of it are exposed to the environment. Airborne germs, foreign objects, and potential inadvertent hand contact from a janitor who may have just cleaned the toilets can all mix in to the bulk soap dispenser and contribute to possible contamination. Not to mention the more sinister prospect of contamination through intentional vandalism to the bulk soap as it sits in an “open” bulk soap dispenser.

Topics: Hand Hygiene, Health, Infection Prevention

Food Safety: Your Health (& Others) is in Your Hand Hygiene

By: Chris Meyer  |  May 3, 2019

Each year on World Hand Hygiene Day (May 5), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) campaign to spread awareness about the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare environments.

While the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare can’t be understated, it’s not just healthcare workers whose hand hygiene practices could potentially pose a serious health issue for others. Foodservice workers’ hand hygiene, or lack thereof, also has a significant impact on the health of the public. 

So, just as the CDC and the WHO have done for healthcare workers, WAXIE is aiming to bring awareness of the need for hand hygiene improvement in the foodservice industry too on this year’s World Hand Hygiene Day. 

Towards that end, this post will illustrate the importance of hand hygiene in the foodservice industry and demonstrate how your organization can start implementing best practices for improving hand hygiene immediately.

Topics: Hand Hygiene, Foodservice, Infection Prevention

The Healthy Schools Project* in Action at CA School for the Deaf

By: Briana Smith  |  May 8, 2014

On Friday, April 18, 2014 WAXIE Sanitary Maintenance Consultant, Remy Meehan, accompanied a couple of Kimberly-Clark Professional* trainers, Elisa Huang & Brian Boll, to the California School for the Deaf in Fremont, CA to educate the students & staff on the importance of handwashing. Kimberly-Clark Professional* developed The Healthy Schools Project* in order to help students understand germ transmission & how they can stay healthier in school and at home. Its key components focus around reminding students (as well as teachers, administrators & staff) to wash, wipe & sanitize.

Topics: Hand Hygiene, Education, Infection Prevention