Tis the season.

Flu season, that is.

I just read a company blog about a viral epidemic that spread like a juicy rumor through ADI late last year.  Although it was an amusing article, I doubt that the victims of “The Sick” were amused.   Read that blog.

Despite the odds, you can stay healthy and help those around you to stay healthy too.  The key factor is keeping your hands clean, otherwise known as hand hygiene.  I cannot stress the importance of hand hygiene to prevent catching and spreading “The Sick.”  By following a few basic tips, you can stop “The Sick” dead in its tracks before it ever gains a foothold here again this year.

First and foremost, wash your hands.  Wash them well and wash them often.  A good hand washing lasts 20-30 seconds, or about as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday.  Wash all of the surfaces of your hands.  Get in between your fingers, and don’t forget about the tops of your hands.  Germs aren’t picky about where they land, and they rarely contain themselves to your palms.

Alcohol gel is great, but it is no substitute for a good mechanical hand washing.  If you frequently use alcohol gel, as I do, you should wash your hands with soap and warm water after every ten to twelve applications.

Try not to touch your face, especially your eyes and nose.  Those are the two most common portals for the entry of respiratory infections.

Use antibacterial wipes on surfaces that are frequently handled.  I clean my telephone, keyboard, mouse, and drawer pulls every morning as soon as I get to work.  You may also see me wiping down door handles in the break room and hallways from time to time, especially if I suspect that “The Sick” is trying to make a comeback.

If you can’t remember the last time you washed your hands, it’s time to wash them again.  Now, I’m not suggesting that everyone needs to perfect the art of the surgical hand scrub.  But we need to provide the most effective and efficient direct mail production for our clients, and this begins by simply staying healthy.

Likewise, we will continue to keep our clients’ data healthy.  In doing this, we can provide the best services and products to our clients.  We use many standardized tools, including National Change of Address (NCOA) and Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) to ensure that we achieve the highest rate of deliverability for the lowest cost.

Whether talking about our clients’ data or just our own hands, good hygiene is critical in providing a healthy and productive environment for success.

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