Children's Hospital painting & hygiene

I've been asked to paint every month for a very special group at our local Children's Hospital. These children are undergoing chemo and other very serious treatment and the hospital provides a "family night" with different activities. I'm also going to be periodically painting families under similar circumstances at the local Ronald McDonald house.

I know these children are immune-compromised and want to do everything I possibly can to help keep them safe and as healthy as possible. My hygiene standards are very high already. I have an immune-compromised child myself which has led me down the germaphobe path, lol. I clean every face/area to be painted with a hypoallergenic unscented baby wipe, use fresh sponges on every child, Brush Bath and very frequent water changes, q-tips for any lip painting, and clean brushes between every paint and every client. I use hand sanitizer on myself between every client. After each painting session, I wipe all my paints clean again with baby wipes, and sanitize brushes and sponges in undiluted vinegar then boiling water.

Are there any recommendations or suggestions on further steps I can take to help keep these precious little ones as safe as possible from transmission of germs, etc. as well as keep my kit safe for my other clients outside the hospital scenarios? One thing I thought was possibly buying a seperate kit for the hospital painting, but I know that will be very expensive. I am going to be compensated but don't yet know how much, I still have to pass a certification and training seminar to be able to work with the kids, and anticipate more info after that.

Any wisdom or advice would be very appreciated!

There are painters with experience in hospital settings...hopefully one of them will respond.

I would suggest asking the hospital what THEY consider proper procedures for painting their patients.

Thanks, Shannon! They have never hired a face painter before so this is new territory for them as well. The event coordinator mentioned using new q-tips and brushes on each face but I'm sure she didn't realize the costs of brushes. One of the things I know I can do is use my 3 brush tubs to do fresh water for each child....

Maybe glitter tattoos would be a better option. I've steered away from these as I'd hate to harm someone(and I follow pretty high cleanliness standards(ask Shannon as I spent a ton of time picking her brain about hygiene:-)

I know that in some hospital programs the painters use the cream paints that come in the pumps (FWW or Fardel), those tear off wax paper paint palettes, and use disposable sponges and q-tips. Brushes have to be CLEAN for each person...

You pump a little paint on the palette, use, and then dispose of the sheet, then new sheet new paint for the next.

The design are simple and fast...

That's all I can tell you.

I was going to do the Children Hospital in my area and they wanted me to provide separate face painting kits, sponges and brushes for every child because some cases were sensitive. Im still going to do it when the funds are right. Im sure the kids need all the happiness they can receive. It must sucks living in a hospital.

OMG, you are being so blessed to have this opportunity, I think your best option is invest in a separate kid as Shannon said, I know thre is a disposable brushes as well and as sponges, those they sell for make up remover come like a 12 in a bag for 2 dollars, they would work good with a creamy paint. I know you will be so happy after your work with those kids.

I have painted many times at Cincinnati Ronald McDonald House, children and families with all different medical issues. I buy new car wash sponges and wash them in a "free" detergent and dry them on hot for an hour. I use my typical paints, and wash my brushes as usual with dawn antibacterial. I bought a large group of #4 round cheaper brushes with coupon from Hobby lobby for like 2 dollars so I can use one brush per child. I have never been asked to use anything special. This is just the precautions I take. I have never had any issues there, or have never even been questioned about cleanliness, but I keep my kit clean. If they were more concerned I would seriously considering ordering a seperate kit to use.

On another note....Kudos to you. Painting with the kids at RMH has been the most rewarding painting I have ever done and do. Get lots of pics, and be ready to open your heart and ears.

http://www.makingfacesaustralia.com

This lady (Julie) paints in hospitals, maybe try emailing her for tips - she's been doing it for ages and has a pretty good system to satisfy hospital OH&S. I don't think she's on this forum though so you'll have to contact her through the web page.

I've seen someone talk about it here before, and what I remember is once the brush touches the skin, it doesn't touch the paint again.

All hospitals should have an Infection Control department. The unit may not know about precautions, but I'd guess that if you talk to IC and describe the usual process they can help problem-solve with you.