Germs spread rapidly in public spaces, especially in schools where high-traffic areas and shared surfaces are unavoidable. Among these spaces, school cafeterias stand out as hotspots for germs. Studies show that some cafeteria surfaces, including those in colleges, can host bacterial counts up to 60,000 times higher than household toilet seats.

Frequent contact with shared surfaces like tables, trays, and door handles makes cafeterias particularly susceptible to germ transmission. These germs can easily lead to illness among students and staff. Younger children, especially those aged 1–12, are the most vulnerable to these illnesses, resulting in increased school absences that are often preventable with better hygiene practices.

The Role of NSF in Food Safety

To protect public health, especially in food preparation and dining areas, the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) has established rigorous standards for sanitation and food safety. Using NSF-certified products is essential for maintaining these standards and ensuring cafeterias remain safe and hygienic for everyone.

Symmetry’s Antimicrobial Solution

Symmetry has NSF certified products such as Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Wash with Benzalkonium Chloride. This product is an excellent tool to combat the spread of germs in school cafeterias. It is formulated to reduce the presence of pathogens and disease-causing bacteria, preventing contamination during food preparation and consumption.

Frequent handwashing is critical for minimizing the spread of germs, and Symmetry’s Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Wash makes it easy. Its easy-to-rinse, fragrance free and gentle foam, makes it easy for students and staff in cafeteria areas to adopt healthier hand hygiene habits.

The Impact of Hand Hygiene

Incorporating best practices for hand hygiene in the cafeteria and throughout the school lowers the risk of spreading pathogens in schools. By using Symmetry Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Wash in cafeteria food prep areas, schools can proactively reduce the risk of germ transmission.

 

A Cleaner Tomorrow

Creating a cleaner, healthier school starts with education and access. Teaching students the importance of handwashing and providing effective products like Symmetry’s Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Wash can significantly decrease the spread of illness.

To support these efforts, Symmetry provides innovative resources through the Symmetry Behavior Modification System (SBMS). SBMS is designed to inspire hand hygiene by raising awareness and encouraging action. For example, Symmetry offers Digital Placards to visually remind students and staff of the importance of hand hygiene.

Additionally, Symmetry offers Behavioral Beacons, these beacons use engaging light projections to prompt handwashing at critical moments, creating a fun and interactive way to build healthier habits.

Symmetry also supplies educational materials, such as customizable flyers and informative handouts, that schools can use to promote hand hygiene and awareness among students and staff alike.

By combining innovative tools and educational resources, Symmetry helps schools create an environment where proper hand hygiene becomes second nature, supporting a healthier tomorrow

Curious about how to make your school a healthier, safer place?

Check out the Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program and learn more about our customizable program for schools.

It’s time again to celebrate and raise awareness for International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW). Established in 1986, IIPW highlights the critical role infection preventionists play in improving patient safety. This year’s theme, “Moving the Needle on Infection Prevention”, emphasizes the progress made across healthcare in reducing the spread of infections.

The Role of Hand Hygiene

One of the most essential aspects of infection prevention is maintaining proper hand hygiene. Regular handwashing or using hand sanitizer can dramatically reduce the transmission of infections within healthcare facilities. According to the World Health Organization, hand hygiene improvement programs can prevent up to 50% of avoidable infections during healthcare delivery.

Lower HAIs

Infection preventionists work tirelessly to combat infections and diseases, especially with ongoing outbreaks and viruses affecting our daily lives. One of the best ways to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is by improving hand hygiene awareness—whether through better access to sanitizer and soap or increasing public awareness in shared spaces.

Acceptance = Compliance = Lower HAIs

Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program

Symmetry’s^® comprehensive approach supports healthcare professionals by providing high-quality, gentle hand hygiene products, along with tools like the Symmetry Behavior Modification System and Point of Care items. These resources help reinforce hand hygiene practices at critical moments throughout the day.

Point of Care Tools

Symmetry’s Point of Care tools help hospitals reach their infection prevention goals, including those outlined in APIC’s Patient Hand Hygiene Toolkit. This toolkit compiles data from several studies, concluding that a lack of patient hand hygiene contributes to room contamination and the spread of infection.

With Symmetry, healthcare facilities can increase patient awareness and provide greater access to hand hygiene  tools such as tray tables, bedside dispensers, and other easily accessible stations. This creates more opportunities for patients to clean their hands throughout the hospital, ultimately helping reduce infection rates.

Thank you to all infection preventionists for the invaluable work you do in safeguarding the health of patients, staff, and communities. Infection prevention is an ongoing commitment, and every effort helps to move the needle towards safer care for everyone.

For more information about how Symmetry can help prevent infections in your facility, contact your local Buckeye representative.

With fall slowly beginning, it’s the perfect time to start preparing for the inevitable flu season. In high-traffic environments like schools, hospitals, and large facilities, illnesses can spread quickly. Keeping your facility clean and ensuring proper hand hygiene practices are the most effective ways to protect against the flu.

Symmetry's^® complete line of hand hygiene products and Behavior Modification System (SBMS) help make maintaining a healthy environment easier than ever. From hand washes and sanitizers to strategically placed dispensers, the Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program is designed to fit the specific needs of your facility and encourage flu prevention.

The Symmetry Behavior Modification System (SBMS)

Symmetry employs behavioral science to promote better hand hygiene practices, especially during flu season when hygiene is key. SBMS uses tools like color cues, mirrors, floor decals, and flashing signs, all strategically designed to influence behavior and increase hand hygiene compliance.

This flu season, Symmetry’s Behavior Modification tools add a layer of immediacy to your hand hygiene program. Unique placards and signs with motivational messages can be placed in high-traffic areas, capturing attention and prompting immediate hand sanitizing or washing. SBMS is designed to drive action and INSPIRE hand hygiene.

Eco^®  Proportioning Program

Hand hygiene is just one piece of the puzzle in keeping facilities flu-free. To maintain a safe and healthy environment, especially during flu season, comprehensive cleaning and disinfecting are essential.

Buckeye’s Eco Proportioning Program offers a fully integrated solution that simplifies janitorial tasks and boosts efficiency. Designed with proprietary technology, the Eco Proportioning System delivers customized, super-concentrated cleaning products that save space, reduce waste, and optimize performance—keeping your facility ready to fight the flu.

Key features of the Eco Proportioning Program include:

Compact Design: Install Buckeye Eco proportioning systems in any custodial closet to maximize storage space.

Green Cleaning: Eco products are designed for maximum effectiveness while being ecologically safer, with several products certified by Green Seal™.

Flexible Packaging: Reduce product waste with flexible packaging that delivers a 99.9% product evacuation rate.

Super Concentrated Products: Buckeye’s concentrated formulas reduce labor time and deliver superior end-use cost savings.

Proprietary Technology: The innovative design of the Eco proportioning system ensures maximum efficiency during flu season and beyond.

Disinfectants for Flu Season

The Eco Proportioning Program includes two key disinfectants to further safeguard your facility during flu season: Buckeye Eco^® One-Step Disinfectant/Deodorizer/Cleaner E22 and Buckeye Eco^® Neutral Disinfectant E23 S23. Both products provide powerful, EPA-registered disinfection to keep your facility clean and safe.

Buckeye also offers a variety of other disinfectants designed for commercial cleaning, utilizing proprietary technology to ensure optimal performance against germs and viruses.

These disinfectants are quaternary ammonium, phenolic, and alcohol-based formulas that are EPA-registered and meet OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards. With a range of scent options, Buckeye disinfectants leave your facility not only thoroughly cleaned but also refreshed with pleasant aromas—offering a reliable line of defense against harmful pathogens during flu season.

Honors Training Program

Preparing for flu season requires not only the right products but also proper training. Buckeye’s Honors Program offers comprehensive training resources designed specifically for schools, universities, and large facilities. The program provides tools to reduce labor and costs while ensuring cleaning and disinfection meet the highest standards.

Through in-depth video tutorials on floor care, high-touch surface cleaning, and more, Buckeye ensures your staff is well-prepared. The program offers downloadable training manuals, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and customizable wall charts, equipping your team with everything they need for flu season preparedness.

Get Ahead of The Flu

Flu season can feel overwhelming, but with Symmetry’s Behavior Modification System and Buckeye’s Eco Proportioning and Honors Programs, your facility will have the tools needed to stay healthy and prevent the spread of illness. From innovative hand hygiene products to effective disinfectants and in-depth training resources, Symmetry and Buckeye offer a complete solution for flu season preparation.

Contact your local representative today to learn more about how Symmetry and Buckeye can help you stay ahead of the flu.

As the winter season approaches, influenza activity continues to increase. The CDC urges everyone 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine to prevent the spread of the illness. However, influenza isn’t the only disease that spreads during the winter months. In addition to vaccination, it’s important that businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities continue to promote healthy hygiene habits to help protect employees, students, and patients.

Practicing Proper Hand Hygiene

Cleaning your hands is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect you from the spread of germs. Facilities that do their part to encourage healthy hand hygiene can reduce the spread of illness among staff and visitors.

Hand Washes and Hand Sanitizers

Finding products that don’t dry out hands and leave no sticky residue behind plays an important role in creating a culture of hand hygiene. Symmetry^® products are gentle on your skin because Symmetry understands the importance of providing products that people want to use.

Symmetry hand washes and hand sanitizers reduce common disease-causing bacteria. They are designed for repeated use and are formulated with ingredients like ethyl alcohol, allantoin, aloe, and vitamin E. 

Tools and Resources

Oftentimes a large barrier to reducing the spread of illness is education. Supporting your hand hygiene products with educational tools like posters and signs can help bring awareness to the importance of hand hygiene and educate facility visitors about proper hand hygiene practices.

Symmetry has a variety of tools including Education and Awareness posters and the Symmetry Behavior Modification System (SBMS). SBMS utilizes behavioral science to drive hand hygiene practices in the moment. With colorful dispensers, messaged or mirrored placards, floor decals, and flashing lights, Symmetry draws the eye to a hand hygiene opportunity to encourage the user to participate.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Appropriately 

Cleaning and disinfecting regularly is a year-round task that might need to be revisited during respiratory illness season. Frequently touched objects like doorknobs, light switches, and keyboards should be routinely cleaned and disinfected. Proper disinfection includes making sure your chemicals are diluted correctly so that they can kill the organisms on the label.

Products like Eco^® One-Step Disinfectant/Deodorizer/Cleaner E22 and Eco Neutral Disinfectant E23 combat many common disease-causing organisms, including Influenza A Virus and many other organisms. The Eco Proportioning Program includes proportioning systems that automatically dilute cleaners and disinfectants for any room in your facility. This takes the guess work out of product dilution and ensures your facility is cleaned with products that get the job done.

For more information on how Buckeye products and programs can help you combat the illness in your facility, contact one of our expert representatives.

Established in 1986, International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) celebrates Infection Preventionists and aims to assist in decreasing the spread of infection in healthcare facilities. This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Fundamentals of Infection Prevention” with a goal to return to the basics of infection prevention.

The Basics

Understanding the basics of infection prevention begins with hand hygiene. Cleaning hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer can make a huge difference in infection prevention. According to the World Health Organization, “Appropriate hand hygiene prevents up to 50% of avoidable infections acquired during healthcare delivery, including those affecting the health work force.”

Improving Hand Hygiene Compliance 

Infection Preventionists are working every day to break the chain of infection throughout the continuum of care. One of the best ways to reduce healthcare associated infections (HAIs) is to improve hand hygiene compliance rates. How do you improve hand hygiene compliance rates?

Acceptance + Compliance = Lower HAIs

If healthcare workers like the hand hygiene products available to them, they will use those products and, as a result, help prevent HAIs.

Symmetry Hand Hygiene 

Symmetry manufactures products that outperform other hand hygiene lines in overall quality and feel after repeated use. These products are gentle on healthcare workers’ hands, encouraging them to wash and sanitize them frequently.

With Point of Care Tools like lanyards, tray table suction cups, and cart brackets, Symmetry strives to make hand hygiene available throughout the workflow. The Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program also utilizes behavioral science to drive hand hygiene compliance. These unique placards, beacons, and visual lighting cues help draw attention to opportunities for hand hygiene in the moment.

Learn more about the complete program and how Symmetry works with Infection Preventionists to increase hand hygiene compliance and reduce infections in healthcare facilities by contacting your local representative.

Thank you to all the Infection Preventionists who are doing their part to keep healthcare facilities safe for everyone.

Is there a driving force behind the decisions we make? Can behavioral science improve hand hygiene practices? Behavioral science focuses on the way humans interact with the world and the cognitive processes that drive those action. For manufacturers, understanding these decision-making processes can help with product design and in-store placement. A famous example of this can be seen in the check-out lanes of your local grocery store. Various candy, gum, and chip companies have realized that by placing their products near check-out lanes, directly in the sight of children increases sales dramatically.

For the Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program, behavioral science has provided a way to influence healthy hand hygiene practices. Working with Dr. Adam Alter, a Behavioral Scientist, Symmetry has developed the Symmetry Behavior Modification System (SBMS), a set of unique, cost-effective tools, based on six key tenets, designed to inspire hand hygiene compliance.

Each SBMS tool is inspired by six key tenets, benevolence, responsibility, accountability, variation, emotion, and direction. Colored dispensers can provide variation, drawing attention to hand hygiene opportunities. Symmetry’s messaged and mirrored placards can inspire benevolence, responsibly, accountability, and emotion, triggering the desire to wash or sanitize hands. Symmetry also provides floor decals to guide users towards hand sanitizers and hand washes.

Some other SBMS tools include features like motion detection and video displays. The Symmetry Visual Lighting Cue (VLC) can help dramatically increase hand hygiene compliance. The VLC flashes an amber or red light to draw attention to the dispenser, reminding people to practice hand hygiene. Similarly, the Symmetry Behavioral Beacon uses emoticon light projections to trigger a response. The Behavioral Beacon has the ability to project thumbs up, smiley face, and heart emoticons.

The new Symmetry MOTIV placard is a digital behavioral driver that uses motion and sound to trigger a response to take action. With one GB of memory and a ten-hour run time, MOTIV uses imagery and variation to keep messaging fresh all day long.

Symmetry’s numerous tools give all facilities the options they need to increase healthy hand hygiene practices among guests and staff. Contact your Symmetry representative to discover which SBMS tools are right for your facility.

Preventing the spread of the flu begins with the flu shot. This year getting the flu shot means more than protecting yourself and others from the flu. It can reduce the strain on healthcare systems as they continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC recommends getting your flu shot before the end of October, but the vaccine is usually available for most of the flu season.

In addition to getting the flu shot, implementing a hand hygiene program can keep germs from spreading in your facility. Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. The Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program offers a complete line of hand hygiene products that are gentle on your hands while reducing common disease-causing bacteria.

Symmetry also offers tools to help encourage people in your facility to practice proper hand hygiene. These tools are key to reducing the spread of diseases like the flu and COVID-19. The Symmetry Behavior Modification System (SBMS) uses behavioral science to drive immediate hand hygiene practices with eye-catching customizable placards and signs. Symmetry also offers educational signs, posters, and videos to demonstrate the importance of hand hygiene.

Facilities can also fight the flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections with Buckeye’s disinfectants. Disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces is key in preventing the spread of germs. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved several Buckeye products for use against COVID-19. These products include Buckeye Terminator™, Eco^® One-Step Disinfectant-Deodorizer-Cleaner E22, Sanicare Disinfecting Wipes, and Sanicare TBX^™.

For more information about Buckeye programs and how to prevent the spread of the flu in your facility, contact your local Buckeye representative.

What steps can you take to increase hand hygiene compliance, reduce the spread of germs, and enhance the safety of the patient population?

The Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program provides the tools to help stop the reduce of HAIs (Healthcare Associated Infections), including employee-preferred hand hygiene products, Behavior Modification tools, and Point of Care tools.

Symmetry products clean and are less likely to contribute to dry hands. They don't leave a sticky residue and reduce common disease-causing bacteria. When surveyed, 97% of healthcare workers prefer Symmetry products over their previous hand hygiene products. They are gentle on hands, leave them feeling soft and refreshed, and rinse easily making it easy to apply gloves.

In addition to providing the best products for clinicians, Symmetry knows that one of the best ways to encourage hand hygiene compliance is through the use of other tools such as the Symmetry Behavior Modification System (SBMS). Symmetry Behavior Modification tools include colored dispensers, Behavioral Driver Placards, and signs with messages designed to maximize hand hygiene practices.

Symmetry also offers Visual Lighting Cues (VLCs) for dispensers. The American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) published a study that measured hand hygiene compliance using visual lighting cues. The study concluded that a flashing light affixed to hand hygiene dispensers drew attention to the dispenser, and approximately doubled hand hygiene compliance.

For healthcare facilities looking to improve hand hygiene compliance to reduce the spread of germs, utilizing Symmetry’s Behavior Modification tools can draw attention to opportunities for hand hygiene, but Behavior Modification tools are not the only way to improve hand hygiene practices. Symmetry also offers Point of Care tools for moments when healthcare workers are in contact with patients and at the highest risk of spreading germs.

Point of Care tools are specifically designed so that healthcare workers have access to hand sanitizer during the 5 moments for hand hygiene. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines these moments as before patient contact, before aseptic task, after body fluid exposure, after patient contact, and after contact with patient surroundings.

Symmetry’s Point of Care tools include 50 ml patient tray table/ W.O.W. clips, 550 ml suction cup, 50 ml lanyard, 50 ml suction cup, and 550 ml anesthesia cart bracket. For nurses and other healthcare workers coming in contact with patients, these tools make hand hygiene products immediately available and convenient.

A complete hand hygiene program provides all the tools necessary to reduce the spread of germs and bacteria in healthcare facilities. Tools that can spread awareness and simplify the hand hygiene process for workers can assist in creating a cleaner environment for patients, visitors, and staff members.

For more information on the kinds of tools Symmetry can provide to healthcare facilities, contact your local Buckeye representative.

“Many HAIs (healthcare-associated infections) are transmitted by healthcare personnel, and hand hygiene is a primary means to reduce these infections.” – Health Research & Education Trust, affiliate of the American Hospital Association

Hand hygiene noncompliance is a major contributor to the spread of HAIs. It’s also one of the easiest practices to improve. Symmetry’s goal is to provide products that healthcare workers want to use. With reliable dispensers and better products, healthcare workers are more likely to follow hand hygiene compliance policies.

Symmetry products are less likely to contribute to dry hands or leave sticky residue behind. Through clinical evaluation, Symmetry consistently proves to be the preferred choice of healthcare workers. Because Symmetry provides products that healthcare workers prefer, workers are more likely to clean their hands and help reduce the spread of germs.

To keep hand hygiene on the minds of staff, visitors, and patients, Symmetry offers the Symmetry Behavior Modification System (SBMS). SBMS utilizes behavioral science to drive hand hygiene compliance. With unique tools based on the six key tenets of benevolence, accountability, responsibility, variation, emotion, and direction, SBMS inspires immediate hand hygiene practices.

Symmetry also uses point of care tools to focus on the five moments for hand hygiene. The five moments for hand hygiene approach defines key moments when healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene. Symmetry’s point of care tools include suction cups, lanyards, and cart brackets to give healthcare workers easy access to hand hygiene opportunities while working directly with patients. 

The tools of the Symmetry® Hand Hygiene Program make it easier for healthcare workers to access Symmetry products. They keep hand hygiene on the minds of people throughout healthcare facilities and help convey the importance of hand hygiene. Contact your local Buckeye representative for more information on how Symmetry can help healthcare facilities fight HAIs.

As the importance of hand hygiene has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing a complete hand hygiene program in your facility can help provide peace of mind and reduce the spread of germs. The Symmetry Behavior Modification System (SBMS) is part of what makes the Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program unique. While other hand hygiene lines simply provide products, Symmetry works to develop a complete program that inspires better hand hygiene practices. Behavioral science has been key to developing tools any facility can use to encourage users to keep their hands clean.

Many major manufacturers employ people with PhDs in Behavioral Science to identify and capitalize on various stimuli that influence our behavior and, ultimately, lead us to purchasing their products. Behavioral science is behind the strategic placement of candy in checkout lanes at stores. Children can easily spot and grab candy while waiting for their parents to checkout. Once a candy bar is in a child’s hands, the likelihood that it will be purchased goes up significantly.

Symmetry worked with Dr. Adam Alter to discover ways behavioral science could be used to promote better hand hygiene. Dr. Alter has a PhD in Behavioral Science and is the New York Times best-selling author of Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave. Together, Symmetry and Dr. Alter created the Symmetry Behavior Modification System.

Unlike negative motivators, SBMS is based on six key tenets that offer a positive approach designed to inspire. Symmetry’s six tenets are benevolence, responsibility, accountability, variation, emotion, and direction. Each tenet offers a unique way to drive compliance.

Symmetry’s Behavior Modification tools include variety in dispensers. Symmetry dispensers come in various colors and can even be customized with your facility’s logo and colors. Dispensers can also be fitted with Visual Lighting Cues (VLCS). VLCS flash periodically to draw attention to dispensers and encourage an immediate hand hygiene event.

In addition to attention-drawing dispensers, Symmetry provides Behavior Modification placards. These cards sit atop dispensers and are customized with inspiring messages like, “Support Healthy Hands. It Only Takes 20 Seconds.” They are designed to be placed on dispensers throughout a facility to provide variation. The more variation in dispensers, the more likely it is that a user will notice an opportunity to sanitize or wash hands.

Finally, Symmetry provides floor decals in the shape of Happy Feet Biscuit Paws (a reference to the Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program’s mascot Biscuit, the Paw Washing Dog), or custom options. Floor decals can be used to guide users towards dispensers and drive hand hygiene practices.

These added features can mean the difference between an effective hand hygiene program and an average hand hygiene program. The impact of COVID-19 has driven a need for hand hygiene products, but providing high quality products is just part of improving hand hygiene practices in any facility. Symmetry takes their program one step further by providing behavior modification tools to encourage users to take advantage of the high-quality hand hygiene products they have available to them. To find out how Symmetry can customize their Behavior Modification System to fit your facility, contact your local Buckeye representative.