It's Back to School and Back to an Important Basic-Good Hand Hygiene

It’s Back to School and Back to an Important Basic—Good Hand Hygiene

Local school rally designed to prevent spread of MRSA—Features Mitchel Musso from hit series Hannah Montanna—Kicks Off National Education Initiative

HCA’s TriStar Health System today hosted a fun, interactive education program to teach kids the importance of good hand hygiene in the prevention of infection. Today’s topic is particularly relevant in Middle Tennessee with recent reports of three football players contracting MRSA already this school year. MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphyococcus aureus) is a common, yet highly contagious bacterium that frequently inhabits a person’s skin or nostrils.

Mitchel Musso, popular Disney co-star of the Hannah Montana show and HCA’s chief medical officer, Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin, show children from Granbery Elementary School proper hand washing techniques at a recent Nashville event to kick-off the national education initiative, Clean Hands are Cool Hands. For more information go to cleanhandsarecoolhands.com.

The event was the local kickoff of a national campaign, Clean Hands are Cool Hands, featuring popular teen actor and recording artist Mitchel Musso, best known for his role as “Oliver” in the Disney Channel Series Hannah Montana. The national initiative features a highly interactive website, www.cleanhandsarecoolhands.com that includes age appropriate curriculum materials for use in the classroom that were developed by local Granbery Elementary School teacher, Luanne Hawkins.

According to Jonathan B. Perlin, M.D., HCA’s chief medical officer, the growing prevalence of MRSA in hospitals and communities, including schools, is creating new challenges for healthcare providers. It is important to make parents and kids aware of the little things they can do at home and at school to prevent its spread, he said.

“The best way to prevent staph or MRSA skin infections is to practice good hygiene, including proper hand washing,” said Dr. Perlin. “Our Clean Hands are Cool Hands campaign targets children in grades K-4 and teaches them the importance of keeping their hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.”

Mitchel Musso’s popularity with that age group and tweens helps drive the message home, and Granbery students were treated to a surprise appearance by Musso at the Nashville event.

“I am happy to be a part of this important campaign to prevent the spread of MRSA and help raise awareness among my fans and kids of all ages to stay healthy,” said Musso. “Hopefully they will see me in this PSA and get the message that clean hands are cool and more importantly are less likely to spread germs.”

Parents and teachers are encouraged to visit the website where they will find more information, as well as a kid-friendly section with interactive photos, video clips and music for Mitchel’s fans and friends. Dr. Jonathan Perlin, HCA’s chief medical officer, also provides expert medical advice and information.

Teachers and principals who would like to request a medical expert to speak at their schools or at a PTO meeting can call TriStar MedLine^SM at 615-342-1919.

the tristar family
of hospitals

affiliated facilities