GB2552139A - A system, method and PDU for monitoring hand hygiene compliance - Google Patents

A system, method and PDU for monitoring hand hygiene compliance Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2552139A
GB2552139A GB1611726.9A GB201611726A GB2552139A GB 2552139 A GB2552139 A GB 2552139A GB 201611726 A GB201611726 A GB 201611726A GB 2552139 A GB2552139 A GB 2552139A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
hcw
cmu
pdu
dispensing
event
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1611726.9A
Other versions
GB201611726D0 (en
Inventor
Devine Arthur
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hyintel Ltd
Original Assignee
Hyintel Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hyintel Ltd filed Critical Hyintel Ltd
Priority to GB1611726.9A priority Critical patent/GB2552139A/en
Publication of GB201611726D0 publication Critical patent/GB201611726D0/en
Priority to PCT/EP2017/066777 priority patent/WO2018007446A1/en
Publication of GB2552139A publication Critical patent/GB2552139A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/02—Mechanical actuation
    • G08B13/14—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18—Status alarms
    • G08B21/24—Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
    • G08B21/245—Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
    • A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
    • A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
    • A47K5/1217—Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C3/00—Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/20—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass
    • G07C9/28—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
    • G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
    • G16H20/00—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance
    • G16H20/10—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
    • G16H20/13—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients delivered from dispensers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
    • G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
    • G16H40/00—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices
    • G16H40/20—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Primary Health Care (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)

Abstract

This invention relates to a system, method and personal dispenser unit (PDU) 750 for monitoring hand hygiene compliance. More specifically, the invention is concerned with monitoring compliance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on hand washing moments by a health care worker (HCW) 700 in a healthcare facility. The healthcare facility has a plurality of sensors designating areas within the healthcare facility as healthcare zones 200 and patient zones 300. The HCW 700 carries a PDU 750 of hand washing compound and a tracking device on their person. The PDU transmits an indication of a dispensing event each time the PDU 750 or wash stations 550,600,650 are used. A central monitoring unit (CMU) 800 receives the indications of dispensing events and the location of the HCW 700 in the healthcare facility over time and determines the type of hand washing moment that was performed. In one embodiment, the PDU 750 is equipped with an input device to allow the HCW 700 to indicate the type of hand washing moment being performed.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):
Hyintel Limited
Unit 4, Castleroy Business Park, Castleroy, Limerick, Ireland (72) Inventor(s):
Arthur Devine (51) INT CL:
G08B 21/24 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:
WO 2014/140870 A1 US 20130342349 A1 US 20100262430 A1
WO 2013/106440 A1 US 20100328443 A1 (58) Field of Search:
INT CL G06F, G08B Other: EPODOC, WPI, TXTE (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:
O'Connor Intellectual Property
Suite 207, Q House, Furze Road, Sandyford,
Dublin 18, Ireland (54) Title of the Invention: A system, method and PDU for monitoring hand hygiene compliance
Abstract Title: Personal dispensing unit and monitoring compliance with World Health Organisation (WHO) moments (57) This invention relates to a system, method and personal dispenser unit (PDU) 750 for monitoring hand hygiene compliance. More specifically, the invention is concerned with monitoring compliance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on hand washing moments by a health care worker (HCW) 700 in a healthcare facility. The healthcare facility has a plurality of sensors designating areas within the healthcare facility as healthcare zones 200 and patient zones 300. The HCW 700 carries a PDU 750 of hand washing compound and a tracking device on their person. The PDU transmits an indication of a dispensing event each time the PDU 750 or wash stations 550,600,650 are used. A central monitoring unit (CMU) 800 receives the indications of dispensing events and the location of the HCW 700 in the healthcare facility over time and determines the type of hand washing moment that was performed. In one embodiment, the PDU 750 is equipped with an input device to allow the HCW 700 to indicate the type of hand washing moment being performed.
100
Figure GB2552139A_D0001
PRCi-WiARY SOflWARS
Figure 2
1/3
200
Figure GB2552139A_D0002
Figure 1
2/3
300 350 600 650
Figure GB2552139A_D0003
msrt.s Vi-ίίΐ WP'H
SOFTWARE
3/3
Figure 3
Figure GB2552139A_D0004
750 “A system, method and PDU for monitoring hand hygiene compliance”
Introduction
This invention relates to a system, method and personal dispenser unit (PDU) for monitoring hand hygiene compliance.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has defined five moments when hand washing should occur when treating a patient. These are (1) before touching a patient; (2) before any clean or aseptic procedure; (3) after body fluid exposure risk; (4) after touching a patient; and (5) after touching patient surroundings. Current studies have indicated that healthcare workers are washing their hands according to these five moments less than 50% of the time, leading to increased levels of healthcare acquired infections (HAI’s).
Typically, and in accordance with WHO guidelines, hospitals audit hand hygiene compliance to the five moments via manual audits by trained monitors. However this process has come under increasing discredit as healthcare workers change their behaviour when monitored; monitoring only captures a small percentage of the opportunities for hand hygiene; and monitors are unable to capture all five moments of hand hygiene due to the competing need to respect patient privacy.
Since manual auditing is not perceived to be appropriate or adequate, there has been an increasing deployment of electronic monitoring systems to monitor hand hygiene. One such system is that described in the applicants own granted European Patent No. EP1982314. These systems provide considerable benefits over manual auditing. However, heretofore these systems can only monitor moments 1, 4, and 5 outlined above effectively. Although these moments typically are over 80% of the total opportunities, a large proportion, 20%, of the total moments are still not being captured as moments 2 and 3 and not being recorded.
There is a need for a system, method and PDU that embodies the benefits of electronic monitoring systems that captures all five moments of hand hygiene. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system, method and PDU that solves at least some of the problems with the existing systems.
-2Statements of Invention
According to the invention there is provided a method of monitoring compliance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on hand washing moments by a health care worker (HOW) in a healthcare facility, the healthcare facility having a plurality of sensors therein designating areas within the healthcare facility as healthcare zones, a plurality of sensors therein designating areas within the healthcare zones as patient zones, the HOW carrying a personal dispensing unit (PDU) of hand washing compound on their person, the PDU being operable to transmit an indication of a dispensing event each time the PDU is used to dispense hand washing compound, the HOW carrying on their person a portable tracking unit, the healthcare facility having a tracking system for tracking the location of the tracking unit in the healthcare facility over time, and a central monitoring unit (CMU) having accessible memory, the CMU receiving the indications of dispensing events by the HCW and the CMU receiving the location of the HCW in the healthcare facility over time from the tracking system, and for each indication of a dispensing event, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) the CMU collating the data of the indication of the dispensing event with the location data to determine the location of the HCW when the dispensing event occurred;
(b) the CMU determining whether or not the HCW is in one of the patient zones at the time of the dispensing event;
(c) on the CMU determining that the HCW was inside one of the patient zones at the time of the dispensing event, the CMU classifying the dispensing event as one of a type 2 or a type 3 handwashing event in accordance with the WHO’s guidelines on hand washing moments;
(d) on the CMU determining that the HCW was outside one of the patient zones at the time of the dispensing event, the CMU retrieving from memory the historical location of the HCW over a first predetermined time period immediately preceding the dispensing event;
-3(e) on the CMU detecting that the HCWwas previously inside a patient zone within that first predetermined period of time, the CMU classifying the dispensing event as one of a type 4 or a type 5 handwashing event in accordance with the WHO guidelines on hand washing moments; and (f) the CMU storing in memory a record of each of the dispensing events performed by a HCW in the healthcare facility along with the classification of the hand washing event.
By having such a method, it will be possible to determine whether the HCW is inside or outside of a patient zone when they are carrying out a handwashing exercise. Therefore, it will be possible to determine whether or not the HCW is performing a type 2 or a type 3 moment. Furthermore, by monitoring whether or not the HCW has been inside a patient zone within a predetermined period of time prior to the hand washing action, it is possible to determine whether the HCW is performing a type 1, 4 or 5 moment. It will be appreciated therefore that it is possible for the method to monitor the 5 moments of hand washing as recommended by the WHO.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method comprising the intermediate step of:
(g) on the CMU detecting that the HCW was not previously inside a patient zone within the first predetermined period of time, the CMU classifying the dispensing event as a type 1 handwashing event in accordance with the WHO guidelines on hand washing moments.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method comprising the intermediate steps of:
(h) on the CMU determining that the HCW was outside one of the patient zones at the time of the dispensing event, the CMU monitoring the location of the HCW for a second predetermined period of time immediately after the dispensing event; and
-4(i) on the CMU detecting that the HCW enters a patient zone within that second predetermined period of time, the CMU classifying the dispensing event as a type 1 handwashing event in accordance with the WHO guidelines on hand washing moments.
In this way, the precise nature of the hand washing event can be determined and recorded correctly. This will facilitate building a more accurate picture of the performance of the HCW and where training or instruction is required.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method comprising the step of the HCW, using the PDU, indicating the type of dispensing event occurring and the PDU transmitting the type of dispensing event occurring to the CMU.
This is seen as a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention. By allowing the HCW to indicate the type of dispensing event that they are performing, an even richer picture of the performance of the HCW can be ascertained. In this way, it will be possible to differentiate between type 2 moments and type 3 moments and furthermore it will be possible to differentiate between type 4 moments and type 5 moments. This will be highly advantageous from the point of view that an even more accurate picture of the performance of the HCW will be provided and it will be possible to provide more targeted training or instruction on the strength of the information.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method comprising the step of the CMU storing the type of dispensing event occurring received from the PDU as the classification of the hand washing event.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method comprising the step of the CMU comparing the classification of the hand washing event with the type of dispensing event indication received from the PDU.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method comprising the steps of:
-5(j) the CMU analysing the location data of the HCW in conjunction with the data of the indication of the dispensing events by the HCW to determine those instances where a dispensing event should have occurred but didn’t occur; and (k) the CMU storing in memory a record of each of the instances where a dispensing event should have occurred but didn’t occur for the HCW.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a system for monitoring compliance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on hand washing moments by a health care worker (HCW) in a healthcare facility, the system comprising:
a plurality of sensors designating areas within the healthcare facility as healthcare zones;
a plurality of sensors designating areas within the healthcare zones as patient zones;
a personal dispensing unit (PDU) of hand washing compound to be carried by a HCW, the PDU having a transmitter to transmit an indication of a dispensing event each time the PDU is used to dispense hand washing compound;
a portable tracking unit to be carried by the HCW;
a tracking system for tracking the location of the tracking unit in the healthcare facility over time and in particular the presence of the tracking unit in the healthcare zones and patient zones and the movement of the HCW into and out of patient zones; and a central monitoring unit (CMU) having accessible memory, the central monitoring unit having a receiver to receive the indications of dispensing events by the HCW and the location data of the HCW in the healthcare facility over time from the tracking system;
-6the CMU having processing means to: collate the dispensing event data with the location data to determine the location of the HCW when the dispensing event occurred; determine whether or not the HCW was in one of the patient zones at the time of the dispensing event; and classify the dispensing event in accordance with the WHO’s guidelines on hand washing moments depending on whether the dispensing event occurred prior to, during, or after the HCW was in a patient zone.
By providing such a system, it will be possible to monitor the 5 moments of hand washing as recommended by the WHO. This is achieved without highly disruptive changes to the existing systems architecture so that it may be implemented relatively seamlessly. If desired, the portable tracking device may be part of the PDU.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a system in which there is provided a plurality of sensors designating areas within the healthcare facility as wash station zones and there is provided means to monitor the usage of the wash station zones by a HCW.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a system in which the PDU has an input module to receive input by the user of the PDU relating to the type of handwashing event in accordance with the WHO’s guidelines on hand washing moments being carried out, the transmitter being configured to also transmit the type of handwashing event entered by the user of the PDU to the remote CMU.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal dispenser unit (PDU) for use in a hand hygiene monitoring system, the PDU comprising a fluid reservoir for reception of hand washing compound, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing hand washing compound from the fluid reservoir, a sensor to detect actuation of the dispensing mechanism, a transmitter to transmit an indication of a dispensing event to a remote central monitoring unit (CMU) each time the dispensing mechanism is actuated, and an input module to receive input by the user of the PDU relating to the type of handwashing event in accordance with the WHO’s guidelines on hand washing moments being carried out, the transmitter being configured to also transmit the type of handwashing event entered by the user of the PDU to the remote CMU.
-7This is seen as a particularly advantageous aspect of the present invention. By having a PDU that allows the HCW to indicate the type of hand washing event that they are performing at that moment in time, it will be possible to accurately distinguish between type 2 moments and type 3 moments and it will be possible to differentiate between type 4 moments and type 5 moments. This will be highly advantageous from the point of view that a highly accurate picture of the performance of the HCW will be provided and it will be possible to provide more targeted training or instruction on the strength of that information.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a PDU in which the input module comprises a dedicated button. By having a dedicated button, the button could be used to distinguish between a type 2 and a type 3 moment or indeed the button could be depressed several times in sequence depending on the type of moment that is being performed.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a PDU in which the input module comprises five dedicated buttons, one for each type of hand washing moment in accordance with the WHO’s guidelines on hand washing moments.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a PDU in which the input module comprises a user interface.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the WHO’s five moments of hand washing relating to a patient in a system according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the system according to the invention; and
-8Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a personal dispenser unit (PDU) according to the invention.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 100, having a healthcare zone 200 and a patient zone 300 inside the healthcare zone. The healthcare zone is delimited by a plurality of sensors (not shown) and the patient zone is also delimited by a sensor (not shown). For simplicity, only one patient zone in the healthcare zone has been shown however it will be understood that typically there will be several patient zones. Furthermore, for simplicity only one healthcare zone has been shown however there may be several healthcare zones in a healthcare facility being monitored simultaneously.
The patient 400 is in the patient zone 300. The five moments of hand washing as recommended by the WHO are illustrated graphically by large arrows 1 to 5 inclusive. The five moments when a health care worker (HCW) should wash their hands are: (1) before touching a patient (type 1); (2) before any clean or aseptic procedure (type 2); (3) after body fluid exposure risk (type 3); (4) after touching a patient (type 4); and (5) after touching patient surroundings (type 5). Type 1, 4 and 5 hand washing procedures (moments) should be performed outside of the patient zone. Type 1 is performed outside the patient zone 300 before entering the patient zone whereas type 4 and 5 hand washing moments should be performed outside the patient zone 300 after leaving the patient zone. Type 2 and type 3 should be performed by the HCW inside the patient zone 300.
Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of the system 100 according to the invention in a healthcare setting. The healthcare zone is illustrated as a patient’s room 200 however it will be appreciated that this is not limiting and the healthcare zone could be a multi-patient room, a ward, a department or indeed an entire healthcare facility. Within the healthcare zone there is a patient zone 300. Again, only one patient zone is illustrated in the healthcare zone however there could be several patient zones 300 inside the healthcare zone 200. The healthcare zone 200 has an entrance 500 with a wash station 550 outside the entrance, and a sink area 600 with a wash station 650 inside the healthcare zone. The wash stations 550 and 650 are in this
-9instance anti-bacterial fluid dispensers. Each of the wash stations 550, 650 has a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting the presence of a HCW in the vicinity of the wash station and is capable of determining whether the HCW used the wash station.
A HCW 700 is shown inside the healthcare zone but outside the patient zone. The HCW has on their person a personal dispensing unit (PDU) 750 for dispensing anti-bacterial or like hand wash substance and they carry that PDU on their person throughout their shift. The patient zone 300 comprises a sensor 350 which is operable to detect the presence of a HCW in the patient zone 300. Finally, the system further comprises a central monitoring unit (CMU). The CMU is in communication either directly or indirectly with the sensors in the hand wash stations 550, 650, the sensor 350 in the patient zone 300 and the PDU 750. Each time the HCW operates one of the PDU or the wash stations 550, 650, a notification is transmitted to the CMU that the HCW performed a hand washing exercise.
It will be understood that in this way, the use of a wash station 550 (in addition to or instead of the use of the PDU) can also be included in the evaluation of the HCW performance and the type of dispensing event that they are performing. If desired, the wash station may be provided with a plurality of buttons designating the type (i.e. type 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) of moment being performed for receiving an indication by the user of the type of moment being performed.
The position of the HCW in the healthcare facility is tracked over time (using for example a tracking device inside the PDU in association with a plurality of sensors distributed throughout the healthcare facility - tracking systems are described in, for example, EP1982314, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by way of reference) as they move through the healthcare facility and the position data is provided to the CMU. The CMU can thereafter collate the position data with the dispensing data to map where the HCW is when they performed a hand washing exercise. Furthermore, the CMU can determine whether the dispensing occurred inside the patient zone (type 2 or type 3 moment) or outside the patient zone (type 1, type 4 or type 5 moment) and if the dispensing was outside the patient zone, whether it was before (type 1 moment) or after (type 4 or type 5 moment) the HCW was in the patient zone. The detection of the different moments by the system and method will be further outlined below:
- 10Moment 1: As a healthcare worker approaches the patient zone, the system determines if the healthcare worker has washed their hands before entering the zone. If the HCW has washed their hands, they are compliant to moment 1. If they have not they are not compliant to moment 1. This can be achieved by monitoring the instances of hand washing in conjunction with the location data of the HCW or in another embodiment the HCW could register the hand wash as a moment 1 hand wash via the input device I sensor switch on the PDU (or indeed via an appropriate switch on a wash station).
Moment 2: If the healthcare worker washes their hands using the personal dispenser and registers the hand wash as a moment 2 hand wash via the input device I sensor switch on the PDU, they are credited with a moment 2 hand wash. If this hand wash occurs outside the patient zone the hand wash can also be credited as a moment 1, 4, or 5 hand wash depending on the protocols of the hospital. In another embodiment, if the healthcare worker washes their hands within the patient zone using the personal dispenser they are automatically credited with a moment 2 hand wash.
Moment 3: If the healthcare worker washes their hands within the patient zone using the personal dispenser they may be credited with a moment 3 hand wash. In another embodiment they could register the hand wash as a moment 3 hand wash via the input device / sensor switch of the PDU.
Moments 4 and 5: As a healthcare worker leaves a patient zone, the system determines if the healthcare worker washes their hands. If they do wash their hands they are compliant with moment 4 and moment 5. If they do not wash their hands they are not compliant with moment 4 and 5. In another embodiment they could register the hand wash as a moment 4 or moment 5 hand wash via the input device I sensor switch of the PDU.
Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a graphical representation of the PDU 750 according to the invention. The PDU comprises a fluid reservoir and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing hand washing compound from the fluid reservoir. The hand washing compound could be could be alcohol gel, alcohol foam, antimicrobial waterbased compound or the like. The PDU further comprises a transmitter (not shown) for
- 11 transmitting an indication of a dispensing event to the CMU. The PDU differs from the previous PDUs in that the PDU has an input device, in this case a button 751, operable to indicate the type of dispensing event being performed by the HCW. For example, if the HCW is performing a type 2 moment inside the patient zone, they may depress the button twice in quick succession. If the HCW is performing a type 3 moment inside the patient zone, they may depress the button three times in quick succession. The transmitter in the PDU is further operable to transmit this data back to the CMU so that the CMU can store in memory the type of dispensing event that was performed by the HCW.
The input device is provided by a single button however a plurality of buttons could be provided if desired. Indeed, five buttons could be provided, one for each of the five moments. The input device is a button however it could be in a different form such as a switch, a user interface with menu, a touch-activated user interface, a motion sensor, a voice activated sensor or the like. For example, the type of moment being performed could be indicated using an accelerometer and tilt functionality in the sensor. A quick sideways motion prior to dispensing could indicate a type 2 dispensing operation whereas a quick vertical motion could indicate a type 3 moment. Alternatively, the device could be sensitive to impact so that if the side of the PDU is tapped a certain number of times, this could indicate a certain type of dispensing operation being performed. A microphone inside the sensor would allow the user to talk into the microphone to identify the type of event or to tap the microphone a predetermined number of times to indicate the type of event. What is important is that the input device can receive from the HCW an indication of the type of dispensing event being performed. The transmitter is a wireless transmitter and it will be understood that it could be provided by a transceiver and indeed the PDU could be provided with a separate receiver if desired. The transmitter/transceiver will be capable of sending back data to the CMU including a location signal, a dispensing signal, an input device signal and a unique identifier of the PDU. This data can be stored in CMU memory for subsequent analysis.
The system and method according to the invention will monitor the moments and keep a record of the moments for a given HCW. The system and method, by tracking the moments and the position of the HCW overtime as well as the type of moments, will be able to evaluate the performance of the HCW and whether they are putting patients at
- 12 risk by their failure to adhere to one or more of the WHO recommended five moments of hand washing. The system and method can also determine those instances when a HCW should have performed a hand washing operation but failed to do so and this can be provided as feedback to the HCW in due course or, if the PDU has a receiver, as an alert to the HCW. This alert is effectively in real time and can be useful to obviate the likelihood of HAIs.
In this specification the terms “comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising” and the 10 terms “include, includes, included and including” are all deemed totally interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.
The invention is in no way limited by the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the claims.

Claims (5)

  1. Claims:
    (1) A method of monitoring compliance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on hand washing moments by a health care worker (HCW) in a healthcare facility, the healthcare facility having a plurality of sensors therein designating areas within the healthcare facility as healthcare zones, a plurality of sensors therein designating areas within the healthcare zones as patient zones, the HCW carrying a personal dispensing unit (PDU) of hand washing compound on their person, the PDU being operable to transmit an indication of a dispensing event each time the PDU is used to dispense hand washing compound, the HCW carrying on their person a portable tracking unit, the healthcare facility having a tracking system for tracking the location of the tracking unit in the healthcare facility overtime, and a central monitoring unit (CMU) having accessible memory, the CMU receiving the indications of dispensing events by the HCW and the CMU receiving the location of the HCW in the healthcare facility over time from the tracking system, and for each indication of a dispensing event, the method comprising the steps of:
    (a) the CMU collating the data of the indication of the dispensing event with the location data to determine the location of the HCW when the dispensing event occurred;
    (b) the CMU determining whether or not the HCW is in one of the patient zones at the time of the dispensing event;
    (c) on the CMU determining that the HCW was inside one of the patient zones at the time of the dispensing event, the CMU classifying the dispensing event as one of a type
  2. 2 or a type
  3. 3 handwashing event in accordance with the WHO’s guidelines on hand washing moments;
    (d) on the CMU determining that the HCW was outside one of the patient zones at the time of the dispensing event, the CMU retrieving from memory the historical location of the HCW over a first predetermined time period immediately preceding the dispensing event;
    - 14(e) on the CMU detecting that the HCW was previously inside a patient zone within that first predetermined period of time, the CMU classifying the dispensing event as one of a type
  4. 4 or a type 5 handwashing event in accordance with the WHO guidelines on hand washing moments; and (f) the CMU storing in memory a record of each of the dispensing events performed by a HCW in the healthcare facility along with the classification of the hand washing event.
    A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising the intermediate step of:
    (g) on the CMU detecting that the HCW was not previously inside a patient zone within the first predetermined period of time, the CMU classifying the dispensing event as a type 1 handwashing event in accordance with the WHO guidelines on hand washing moments.
    A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising the intermediate steps of:
    (h) on the CMU determining that the HCW was outside one of the patient zones at the time of the dispensing event, the CMU monitoring the location of the HCW for a second predetermined period of time immediately after the dispensing event; and (i) on the CMU detecting that the HCW enters a patient zone within that second predetermined period of time, the CMU classifying the dispensing event as a type 1 handwashing event in accordance with the WHO guidelines on hand washing moments.
    A method as claimed in any preceding claim comprising the step of the HCW, using the PDU, indicating the type of dispensing event occurring and the PDU transmitting the type of dispensing event occurring to the CMU.
    - 15(5) A method as claimed in claim 4 comprising the step of the CMU storing the type of dispensing event occurring received from the PDU as the classification of the hand washing event.
  5. 5 (6) A method as claimed in claim 4 comprising the step of the CMU comparing the classification of the hand washing event with the type of dispensing event indication received from the PDU.
    (7) A method as claimed in any preceding claim comprising the steps of:
    (j) the CMU analysing the location data of the HCW in conjunction with the data of the indication of the dispensing events by the HCW to determine those instances where a dispensing event should have occurred but didn’t occur; and
    15 (k) the CMU storing in memory a record of each of the instances where a dispensing event should have occurred but didn’t occur for the HCW.
    (8) A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the method comprises the additional step of monitoring the usage by the HCW of a wash station,
    20 determining the type of moment being performed by the HCW and thereafter recording the use of the wash station as a dispensing event in memory along with the classification of the hand washing event.
    (9) A system for monitoring compliance with the World Health Organisation (WHO)
    25 guidelines on hand washing moments by a health care worker (HCW) in a healthcare facility, the system comprising:
    a plurality of sensors designating areas within the healthcare facility as healthcare zones;
    a plurality of sensors designating areas within the healthcare zones as patient zones;
    - 16a personal dispensing unit (PDU) of hand washing compound to be carried by a HCW, the PDU having a transmitter to transmit an indication of a dispensing event each time the PDU is used to dispense hand washing compound;
    a portable tracking unit to be carried by the HCW;
    a tracking system for tracking the location of the tracking unit in the healthcare facility over time and in particular the presence of the tracking unit in the healthcare zones and patient zones and the movement of the HCW into and out of patient zones; and a central monitoring unit (CMU) having accessible memory, the central monitoring unit having a receiver to receive the indications of dispensing events by the HCW and the location data of the HCW in the healthcare facility over time from the tracking system;
    the CMU having processing means to: collate the dispensing event data with the location data to determine the location of the HCW when the dispensing event occurred; determine whether or not the HCW was in one of the patient zones at the time of the dispensing event; and classify the dispensing event in accordance with the WHO’s guidelines on hand washing moments depending on whether the dispensing event occurred prior to, during, or after the HCW was in a patient zone.
    (10) A system as claimed in claim 9 in which there is provided a plurality of sensors designating areas within the healthcare facility as wash station zones and there is provided means to monitor the usage of the wash station zones by a HCW.
    (11) A system as claimed in claim 9 or 10 in which the PDU has an input module to receive input by the user of the PDU relating to the type of handwashing event in accordance with the WHO’s guidelines on hand washing moments being carried out, the transmitter being configured to also transmit the type of handwashing event entered by the user of the PDU to the remote CMU.
    - 17(12) A personal dispenser unit (PDU) for use in a hand hygiene monitoring system, the PDU comprising a fluid reservoir for reception of hand washing compound, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing hand washing compound from the fluid reservoir, a sensor to detect actuation of the dispensing mechanism, a transmitter to transmit an indication of a dispensing event to a remote central monitoring unit (CMU) each time the dispensing mechanism is actuated, and an input module to receive input by the user of the PDU relating to the type of handwashing event in accordance with the WHO’s guidelines on hand washing moments being carried out, the transmitter being configured to also transmit the type of handwashing event entered by the user of the PDU to the remote CMU.
    (13) A PDU as claimed in claim 12 in which the input module comprises a dedicated button.
    (14) A PDU as claimed in claim 13 in which the input module comprises five dedicated buttons, one for each type of hand washing moment in accordance with the WHO’s guidelines on hand washing moments.
    (15) A PDU as claimed in claims 12 to 14 in which the input module comprises a user interface.
    Intellectual
    Property
    Office
    Application No: Claims searched:
GB1611726.9A 2016-07-05 2016-07-05 A system, method and PDU for monitoring hand hygiene compliance Withdrawn GB2552139A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1611726.9A GB2552139A (en) 2016-07-05 2016-07-05 A system, method and PDU for monitoring hand hygiene compliance
PCT/EP2017/066777 WO2018007446A1 (en) 2016-07-05 2017-07-05 A system, method and pdu for monitoring hand hygiene compliance

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1611726.9A GB2552139A (en) 2016-07-05 2016-07-05 A system, method and PDU for monitoring hand hygiene compliance

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201611726D0 GB201611726D0 (en) 2016-08-17
GB2552139A true GB2552139A (en) 2018-01-17

Family

ID=56891127

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1611726.9A Withdrawn GB2552139A (en) 2016-07-05 2016-07-05 A system, method and PDU for monitoring hand hygiene compliance

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2552139A (en)
WO (1) WO2018007446A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100262430A1 (en) * 2009-04-08 2010-10-14 Jonathan Peter Gips Reducing medical error
US20100328443A1 (en) * 2009-06-26 2010-12-30 Lynam Donald S System for monitoring patient safety suited for determining compliance with hand hygiene guidelines
WO2013106440A1 (en) * 2012-01-09 2013-07-18 Judson Smith Hand hygiene network system
US20130342349A1 (en) * 2012-06-20 2013-12-26 Nestor G. Cruz Systems and methods for hand hygiene compliance
WO2014140870A2 (en) * 2013-03-13 2014-09-18 Deb Group Ltd. Hand care reporting panel

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6727818B1 (en) * 1999-10-29 2004-04-27 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Hygiene monitoring system
ATE492864T1 (en) * 2006-02-10 2011-01-15 Kieran Richard Hyland SYSTEM AND PROCEDURE FOR MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH HYGIENE STANDARDS
US10121149B2 (en) * 2012-09-17 2018-11-06 Sage Products, Llc Methods for ensuring and tracking hand hygiene compliance
JP2016538638A (en) * 2013-11-12 2016-12-08 デブ アイピー リミティド Reduction of healthcare-related infections based on hand hygiene

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100262430A1 (en) * 2009-04-08 2010-10-14 Jonathan Peter Gips Reducing medical error
US20100328443A1 (en) * 2009-06-26 2010-12-30 Lynam Donald S System for monitoring patient safety suited for determining compliance with hand hygiene guidelines
WO2013106440A1 (en) * 2012-01-09 2013-07-18 Judson Smith Hand hygiene network system
US20130342349A1 (en) * 2012-06-20 2013-12-26 Nestor G. Cruz Systems and methods for hand hygiene compliance
WO2014140870A2 (en) * 2013-03-13 2014-09-18 Deb Group Ltd. Hand care reporting panel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201611726D0 (en) 2016-08-17
WO2018007446A1 (en) 2018-01-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3673492B1 (en) Predicting, preventing, and controlling infection transmission within a healthcare facility using a real-time locating system and next generation sequencing
US10736527B2 (en) Workout management method and system using a wearable device
US9959742B2 (en) Liability intervention logistical innovation system and method
US9542663B2 (en) Multi-tag identification devices, variable-power standoff readers for same, and related systems
US20180122214A1 (en) Hand hygiene system
AU2010322439B2 (en) Real-time method and system for monitoring hygiene compliance within a tracking environment
US9147334B2 (en) System and method for monitoring hospital workflow compliance with a hand hygiene network
US11238721B2 (en) System and method for efficiently monitoring hand hygiene
US20140180713A1 (en) Real-time method and system for monitoring hygiene compliance within a tracking environment utilizing various timers
KR20150070934A (en) Context-aware compliance monitoring
WO2014074619A2 (en) Systems and methods for tracking vehicle occupants
Mondol et al. Harmony: A hand wash monitoring and reminder system using smart watches
US11741818B2 (en) Systems and method for closed loop tracking of hand hygiene compliance
US10004364B2 (en) Drip tray
KR20170114833A (en) Hand cleaning mornitoring system and mornitoring method
WO2022086896A1 (en) Systems and methods for touchless temperature screening system
CN108245170A (en) Monitor the wearing of wearable device
WO2015117112A1 (en) Real-time method and system for monitoring hygiene compliance within a tracking environment utilizing various timers
GB2552139A (en) A system, method and PDU for monitoring hand hygiene compliance
JP6927567B2 (en) Behavior evaluation information storage system and behavior evaluation information storage method
JP2007034738A (en) Warning system and warning method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)