> Health and Welfare 

Save the date: Spirituality & Mental Health seminar, Jun. 13

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Gas pumps among the dirtiest surfaces, study reveals (from TNUMConnects 11/2/11)

submitted by Marie King, Committee on Health and Wellness member

Just in time for cold and flu season, new testing in six major U.S. cities reveals that gas pump and mailbox handles may be among the dirtiest surfaces Americans touch. The results, released today by Kimberly-Clark Professional, show that more than 60 percent of gas pump and mailbox handles and more than 40 percent of escalator rails and ATM machine buttons can be highly contaminated, potentially exposing people to illness-causing bacteria. Illness in the workplace is not just a health issue, but can also have a major economic impact. Each year companies lose $1,685 per employee due to absenteeism and presenteeism (employees coming to work while sick).

The testing was conducted by trained hygienists in high traffic locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and Philadelphia. Using a Hygiena SystemSURE II™ ATP Meter, a device commonly used to monitor sanitary conditions in industry, hygienists swabbed the objects to measure levels of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). ATP is present in all animal, vegetable, bacteria, yeast and mold cells. Detection of ATP indicates the presence of contamination by any of these sources. Everyday objects with an ATP reading of 300 or higher are considered to have a high risk for illness transmission. In all, more than 350 separate swabs were taken and analyzed.

The percentage of public surfaces tested and found to have high levels of contamination (an ATP count of 300 or higher), includes: 
- 71 percent of gas pump handles
- 68 percent of mailbox handles 
- 43 percent of escalator rails
- 41 percent of ATM buttons
- 40 percent of parking meters/kiosks
- 35 percent of crosswalk buttons
- 35 percent of vending machine buttons

"People do not realize the amount of contamination they are exposed to going to work each day and doing everyday things like filling their gas tank or riding on an escalator," says Charles Gerba,PhD, professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona. "This new testing is compelling because it underscores the importance of hand and surface hygiene. Most cold and flu viruses are spread because people touch surfaces in their immediate area and then touch their faces, other objects and other people. Washing and drying your hands frequently throughout the day, can help prevent your risk of getting sick or spreading illness around the office."

"The likelihood for illnesses to transfer from the objects that people use every day like ATMs and parking meters is eye-opening," says Brad Reynolds, North American platform leader of The Healthy Workplace Project for Kimberly-Clark Professional. "These findings indicate that illness-causing germs are everywhere and have the potential to travel with you into your office space. That's why we developed The Healthy Workplace Project – a unique approach to hand and surface hygiene that helps employees understand and reduce the spread of cold and flu germs throughout their workplaces."

The Healthy Workplace Project is a new, multi-faceted program that Kimberly-Clark Professional has designed to help companies provide their employees with a healthier and more productive office environment. The program provides educational materials in conjunction with hand and surface hygiene products to employees, arming them with the tools and knowledge necessary to break the cycle of germ transmission in the office. By reinforcing the importance of "washing, wiping and sanitizing" through The Healthy Workplace Project, employers can help reduce that impact.

For more information on Kimberly-Clark Professional and The Healthy Workplace Project visit www.healthyworkplaceproject.com.

 

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King endorsed as Hospital Chaplain

Marie C. King has been endorsed by The United Methodist Endorsing Agency to serve as a Hospital Chaplain. Endorsement is recognition that King has met the requirements and completed the process to serve in extension ministry.

Rev. King is presently employed with Hospital Corporation of America’s (HCA) – Centennial Medical Center (Nashville, TN) as a Clinical Educator and Chaplain and provides weekend coverage for the Chaplaincy Department.

Rev. King is a graduate of Dillard University, New Orleans, LA, with a B.A. Degree in Psychology and Tennessee State University with a B. S. Degree in Nursing. Rev. King has completed theological training through United Theological Seminary, completed one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education through the Nashville Clinical Pastoral Education Partnership, and completed her Parish Nurse Training through Vanderbilt’s Center for Parish Nursing and Health Ministry.

Rev. King is presently appointed (2005 – present) to Belmont United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN and serves as the Chairperson for the Health and Wholeness Ministry Team. Rev. King has served with John Wesley UMC, Nashville, as a Parish Nurse, ministerial assistant, and ordained clergy.

Rev. King currently serves as Chairperson for the Disability Concerns Committee of the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church, serves as the Nashville District Representative to the conference Health and Welfare Committee, and is a member of the Sexual Ethics Response Team.

Rev. King serves the community as a volunteer with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Area Nashville Council on Aging, Board of Directors for Homeplace (a group home for women with developmental and intellectual disabilities), a previous member of the Board of Directors for Vanderbilt Home Care, and has served two (2) terms as a member of the Board of Trustees with Centennial Medical Center.

The United Methodist Endorsing Agency endorses about 170 chaplains and pastoral counselors each year in more than 16 different civilian settings – including hospitals, hospices, prisons, and counseling centers – and in all areas of the military.

To learn more about United Methodist chaplains and pastoral counselors, please log onto www.gbhem.org/chaplains.

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Sabbath for pastors: Clergy share struggles in finding time for rest (from UM Portal 4/1/11)

by Mallory McCall, staff writer

For most Christians, Sunday is their sabbath—the day set aside for church services, followed by the beloved afternoon nap. But for pastors, Sunday is hardly a day of rest and reflection. It’s a workday, perhaps even the busiest day of their week.

So how do pastors keep sabbath when they’re expected to serve others 24/7?


> read the full article HERE

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