HyGreen Active Sensor Network Makes Sure Hands Are Kept Clean

15-Jun-2009 16:47:25

 

 

 

 

 

Even though a proper and frequent hand washing in healthcare and food service industries is a strict requirement, it is often too easily ignored. On top of it, monitoring the compliance is obviously lacking. But the change is in the air. A new compliance monitoring system that uses sensors to smell the presence of soap on clinicians' hands has been developed at the University of Florida. Coupling RFID technology to keep an eye of who washed their hands where and when, the system lets doctors and nurses know if they need a refresher, while the management keeps tabs on overall facility cleanliness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trademarked system, called HyGreen, logs, down to the second, the frequency of hand cleaning and contact with patients in a database that clinical supervisors can review immediately.

This is the first system that enables real-time monitoring of hand washing.

HyGreen is now being tested in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Shands at UF medical center, and will be presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology June 6 to June 9 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Here’s how it works: The health-care worker squirts sanitizer gel or soap into his or her hand before passing it under a wall-mounted sensor. A wireless signal from a badge worn by the worker activates a green light on the hand-washing sensor. When the worker enters a patient room, a monitor near the bed detects the status of the badge, and flashes green if the person has clean hands. If the person has not washed, or too much time has passed between washing and approaching the patient, the badge will give a gentle “reminder” vibration.

 

 

Via: medgadget.com

Recent articles in UTS Health blogs:







Comments:

You must sign in to post comments.