3M Health Care has sponsored a new video to make it easier for health care professionals to update their procedures in light of the new hand hygiene guidelines issued recently by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The video, "Hand Hygiene: Cleaning Up Our Act," reviews the new CDC Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings, hand washing methods, their benefits and indications for use. The video features the foremost experts in hand hygiene in the world -- John Boyce, M.D., Chief, Section of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of St. Raphael, New Haven, Conn.; Elaine Larson, RN, Ph.D, Associate Dean for Research, Columbia University School of Nursing; and Didier Pittet, M.D., of the University of Geneva (Switzerland) Hospital, co-author with Boyce of the CDC guideline.

"It's widely recognized that good hand hygiene is the number one precaution health care providers can take to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections -- what used to be called nosocomial infections -- to patients," said Melanie Zahler, market manager for 3M Health Care. "The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations now requires that facilities comply with current CDC hand hygiene guidelines and this educational video can help reinforce that goal."

"Hand Hygiene: Cleaning Up Our Act" was produced for the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) by Envision Inc. with a grant from 3M Health Care. Free previews are available. The video may be ordered by calling 1-866-321-5066 or going to www.envisioninc.net. APIC members are eligible for a discount. Information is provided on how to obtain continuing education credit with the video. 3M sales representatives also have information about the video.

3M Health Care's family of hand hygiene products includes 3M Avagard D Instant Hand Antiseptic, an alcohol-based, waterless hand rub; 3M Avagard Surgical and Healthcare Personnel Hand Antiseptic with Moisturizers (Chlorhexidine Gluconate 1% Solution and Ethyl Alcohol 61% w/w), the first waterless, brushless hand prep to be approved by the FDA for use as a surgical scrub; and 3M Cavilon moisturizing lotion.

"Use of alcohol-based hand hygiene products for routinely decontaminating hands in clinical situations is among the major recommendations of the new CDC guideline," Zahler said. "Another important recommendation from the CDC is that scrubs used for surgery should provide persistence. The Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) contained in the 3M surgical scrub provides persistence up to six hours."

3M Medical Division -- Part of the 3M Health Care Family

3M Medical Division, a division of 3M Health Care, provides thousands of innovative and reliable products that make a difference in the practice, delivery and outcome of health care in hospitals, clinics and home health points of care. 3M Health Care, the largest of the seven major 3M businesses, is a global leader in medical, dental, pharmaceutical, personal care and health information systems markets.

About 3M -- A Global, Diversified Technology Company

Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include icons such as Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Dyneon and O-Cel-O. Serving customers in more than 200 countries around the world, the company's 70,000 people use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.

3M, Avagard, Cavilon, Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Dyneon and O-Cel-O are trademarks of 3M.

3M, St. Paul3M Medical DivisionGayle Peters, 651-736-9058Fax: 651-737-7679www.3M.com/profile/pressbox/media_contacts.jhtmlor3M Public Relations and Corporate Communications:John Cornwell, 651-733-7698