The Child and Youth Advisory Council at the London Health Sciences Centre is trying to help kids understand the importance of hand washing when in hospital.
The group has produced a video called "Be Wise, Sanitize!" It outlines the steps involved in proper hand washing in a song, set to the tune from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
CYAC members say they are aware of the importance of good hand hygiene in protecting health, but weren't sure that their peers were as informed as they should be.
"We wanted to create a video that was memorable,” says CYAC member, Mackenzie Babinsky, 17. “Our hope is that we can help people form healthy hand washing habits that will stay with them throughout their lives, not just while they're in the hospital.”
The video was filmed by a friend of the CYAC, Grade 12 student Ted Linden from Beal Secondary School. Linden says he was inspired to help the group after his father experienced a hospital stay recently.
"While my father was in the hospital, it became very clear to me how important proper hand sanitization is,” says Linden. “I think this video will resonate with patients and visitors alike, because it is a catchy tune with fun lyrics, presented in a unique way."
Val Rousom, director of children's care at LHSC says the video is an important tool to help educate a population who might otherwise not think about hand washing.
The video will be available to patients and visitors through LHSC's Children's Hospital website and the Children's Health Foundation website, and will be placed on television units at the bedside.
You can watch it here:
