Study findings show infection control intervention helps keep kids in school

The study suggests that schools should consider adopting simple infection control practices, including disinfecting desktops once a day and using hand sanitizer before and after lunch, to help reduce days lost to common illnesses.

The study involved a single elementary school system (classrooms located in two buildings) located in Avon, Ohio. Study funds, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes were provided by The Clorox Company (Oakland, Calif).

Children's Hospital Boston is home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869. More than 500 scientists, including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and 12 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children, Children's Hospital Boston today is a 397-bed comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care grounded in the values of excellence in patient care and sensitivity to the complex needs and diversity of children and families. Children's also is the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information about the hospital and its research visit: www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom.

(1) http://www.itsasnap.org/snap/references.asp#6
(2) http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/faq.htm

Bess Andrews, Children’s Hospital Boston
617-919-3110

Leslie Schrader, Ketchum
202-835-7278