H. G. Program: Case Study

H.U.G. Program
Lindsay Shelto
University of Saint Joseph
Background Briefly describe the health Issue, target population (who is most at risk) and epidemiology (what are current prevalence rates)

Hand hygiene is a major health issue within hospitals, school systems and within the general public across the United States. Hand washing is one of the most important healthy actions a person can do. Proper hand hygiene aids in the prevention and spread of infections such as respiratory infections or gastrointestinal diseases caused by enteric pathogens. These along with other infectious diseases are commonly caused by poor hand hygiene practices along with the decreased frequency of hand washing. These infections can typically
program will be evaluated over a nine-month period while the preschool is in session. The program will be over seen by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Each place will be observed and evaluated at the beginning, middle and end of the school year. They will be evaluated on how many children contracted a respiratory or gastrointestinal illness during that nine-month period, how many children were absent during this time period and the overall hand hygiene process led by the educator and followed by each child. Every site will be given positive thoughts over the time period as well as ways to improve if necessary. There are a few limitations to the H.U.G. program. One limitation is that it is very time consuming for the state Department of Public Health to make it out to all sites within a nine-month period. Another limitation is that each child is not evaluated outside of school. The child would be practicing proper hygiene at school but unfortunately there is no way to check outside of the school environment. However, they will be instructed to wash their hands when they arrive at the site and before they leave for the day. These limitations could possibly change the results slightly but should not affect them