The Team Rally

The Team Rally™ video is all action - action that embeds the learning and changes hand hygiene behaviors across the organization. This program lowers the risk of foodborne illness by merging fun with the competitive spirit to capture the attention of prep line workers, wait staff and their managers. The executives, chefs and food handlers cross organizational lines and together beat back language barriers in a drive to win, an international language. All participants learn and earn a better understanding of their role in preventing foodborne illness.

The Team Rally™ program can be run by an individual operation or a group of locations. Management commitment is essential and the start point of the program. This alone is a good use of the Team Rally video - demonstrating to management what to expect and why this program works where others fail. Staff at all levels are encouraged to participate as teams are formed, often choosing a name for the contest period.

Operators are encouraged to implement this program as part of the Handwashing For Life Hands-On System. This integration of Best Practices provides a documented baseline for handwashing frequency and sets the parameters for long term continuous improvement.
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A Team Rally™ quiz along with a tracer test helps develop the "demonstration of knowledge;" that the Food Code requires. This active learning system makes invisible germs real and illustrates an initial disclosure of poor handwashing habits, followed with the tools to demonstrate proper technique.

Judging is objective by virtue of the ProGrade scoring system for handwashing quality. Scoring includes three components.

1. Time: a 20 second target window with points deducted for time over or under.

2. Effectiveness: based on the GlitterBug tracer residue on hands, mapped onto score cards.

3. Knowledge: based on correctly answering randomly chosen quiz questions. Record time, deduct points for unwashed areas, record quiz score & final composite score.

Regulatory "officials" are recruited to enhance the impact and add to the objectivity, especially for the finale. In this way they too are recognized as an important member of the food safety team. Regulators see commitment by operators and workers and welcome this role of instructor, judge and helpmate.

Senior management then makes the presentations, acknowledging all contestants & participants. Symbolic awards are powerful as are monetary prizes. Supplier sponsors can add to the excitement as well as the award program.

And...significant improvements in hand hygiene are observable and sustainable!