WO2013190017A1

WO2013190017A1 - Method and device for verifying whether hands have been washed

Info

Publication number: WO2013190017A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/062814
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilbert Maitre; Yves Martin
Original assignee: Hopitaux Universitaires De Geneve
Priority date: 2012-06-21
Filing date: 2013-06-19
Publication date: 2013-12-27
Also published as: CH706677A1

Abstract

Method for detecting, by means of an inertial sensor, whether hands have been disinfected or washed, comprising: a first detection of a hand position allowing liquid soap to be received, followed by: a second detection of a rubbing movement by means of said inertial sensor (14); confirmation is given that hands have been disinfected or washed in the case where the first detection is followed by the second detection.

Description

Method and device for checking handwashing

Technical area

The present invention relates to a system and a method for improving hand hygiene and the application of

recommendations for good hand hygiene practices.

STATE OF THE ART [0002] A large number of patients who enter a hospital are infected with nosocomial diseases. According to some studies, in developed countries, care-associated infections affect 5 to 15% of hospitalized patients and can affect 9 to 37% of patients admitted to intensive care units. It is estimated that there are at least 5 million healthcare-associated infections in acute care hospitals in Europe annually, resulting in 135,000 deaths per year and approximately 25 million additional days of hospitalization with a financial burden of 13 and 24 billion Euros.

The transmission of pathogens occurs most often through the hands of caregivers. It has been shown that the application of strict hygiene measures by the nursing staff can significantly reduce the number of diseases

Nosocomial. In particular, rigorous hand hygiene reduces the risk of cross-contamination. [0004] The adherence of the nursing staff to the recommended hand hygiene procedures is, however, insufficient, with rates

observance means sometimes only 38%. This rate is difficult to improve because it is difficult to verify whether the strict measures that are recommended are actually applied. Even people sensitized to the problem, trained in handwashing, and who are really keen to apply the necessary strict hygiene rules often Difficulties in objectively assessing the time elapsed since their last handwashing, or the instantaneous hygiene level of their hands.

There is therefore a need for systems and methods to verify the correct application of the recommendations for washing hands and hand hygiene, and to inform the user in case of inadequate hygiene, or even him prohibit access to certain areas in case of doubts about this hand hygiene.

[0006] Different solutions have been proposed in the prior art. For example, W010034125 describes a device for verifying the washing of people's hands by means of portable sensors; these sensors identify actions, durations of these actions and the areas in which they take place and send the data remotely to be analyzed. The sensors may contain accelerometers or gyroscopes and be integrated into a bracelet. The watch further receives beacon signals to detect areas in which handwashing is required.

[0007] WO07129289 relates to a device for verifying hand washing of caregivers by means of cameras and a processor analyzing the received images. The processor identifies hand movements and their analysis provides a report on the quality of hand washing performed.

[0008] US20070020212 relates to a device for verifying the follow-up of handwashing rules are followed by means of an infrared or ultrasonic sensor which triggers a countdown of time on a screen visible near a sink. [0009] US20100073162 discloses a detector comprising at least a displacement sensor (accelerometer, gyroscope ...) that can be worn on the wrist or near the pectoral muscles to record the movements of a person washing his hands. This detector can be associated with chemical sensors (water, soap ...) and means of alarms to remind the user to wash their hands. GB241781 1 discloses a bracelet with a sensor for detecting whether a hand washing has taken place and for generating a washing reminder signal according to the signals of a timer. A chemical sensor can detect the presence of water or soap. The sensor can be set to remind the person at defined time intervals by means of an audible, visual or vibrating alarm that they must wash their hands.

[0011] US2009195385 describes a processor inserted into a wristband of a person having to wash their hands regularly. The bracelet detects the proximity of sensors located near the sinks. [0012] WO2010026581 relates to a bracelet for checking whether people wash their hands using a sensor, for example an accelerometer or a gyroscope and then estimate the level of hygiene of the user.

Brief summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide another system and a method for improving hand hygiene and the application of recommendations to good hand hygiene practices.

Advantageously, the system should be able to be deployed in an existing hospital with a minimum of installation costs or

infrastructure. Advantageously, the system should allow deployment on a modest scale, for example with a single user or a single service, and then the progressive deployment to a number of important users in a hospital.

Advantageously, the system should be based primarily on user awareness, rather than remote control, crackdown or access control. [0017] Advantageously, the system should provide an indication of the quality of each disinfection and / or hand washing, or instant hand hygiene.

[0018] Advantageously, the system should be as economical as possible.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved in particular by means of a hand washing detection method by means of an inertial sensor (or any other type of sensor), comprising:

a first detection of a hand posture for receiving liquid soap, followed by:

a second detection of a frictional movement by means of said sensor;

handwashing determination in case of first detection followed by second detection. According to another aspect of the invention, which may be independent of the first aspect, the hand washing detection device comprises:

an inertial sensor linked to a wrist or a finger of the user;

a microcontroller capable of receiving data from said inertial sensor and comprising a hand posture detection module for receiving liquid soap, and a module for detecting a friction movement by means of said data of the inertial sensor.

The invention starts from the observation that a disinfection or a hand washing typically involves two very distinct phases, that is to say a first phase during which at least one hand is almost immobile, the palm up, to receive the disinfectant or the liquid soap, then a second phase during which the hands are rubbed against each other. When these two phases follow one another closely, it is therefore possible to conclude with a high probability of disinfection or washing hands. This method has the advantage of being implemented with a relatively economical device, by means of a simple inertial sensor, for example an accelerometer or a gyroscope, which can be integrated with a microcontroller (or other equivalent system ) in a bracelet or even in a ring of users.

In one embodiment, the detection of a hand washing by means of a sensor worn on the wrist (or on a finger) is possible without detection of the first phase of a hand posture to receive the liquid soap. The detection of the phase of a hand posture for receiving liquid soap may include a detection that both hands are in an orientation and a position that allows to receive soap and that soap has been poured .

The hand posture for receiving liquid soap corresponds for example to a particular orientation of a hand (or hands) and a wrist (or wrists), almost horizontal, almost immobile, the palm (the palms) usually upwards to accommodate the liquid soap.

The detection of a posture of the hand may comprise a comparison of the position and / or orientation of the hand relative to the vertical angle, and the detection of a situation of quasi-immobility during a predetermined duration.

The detection of a posture of the hand may comprise a detection that a jerk value measured by means of said inertial sensor is below a predetermined threshold for a period of time.

predetermined between a minimum and a maximum.

The detection of an appropriate reception of the disinfectant or liquid soap can be carried out by means of an inertial sensor in a ring or a bracelet worn by the user. [0029] The handwashing detection may further include receiving a signal of use of liquid soap passed through a liquid soap container stopper. In one embodiment, this usage signal is determined by detecting the opening, closing, or pouring of liquid soap.

[0030] The handwashing detection may comprise the reception of a signal from a liquid soap dispenser provided with a usage detector and capable of transmitting a use signal wirelessly to the bracelet when soap has been distributed. The handwashing detection may further comprise the receipt of remarks and / or notations relating to the hygiene of the user of the bracelet. For example, observers or patients may note the performance and quality of a hand-washing by a caregiver using a portable device. This device, which may be a consumer or proprietary multimedia device, is equipped with wireless transmission means (eg Bluetooth, NFC, Zigbee, RFID or proprietary). After establishing and confirming a connection with the carer's bracelet, the patient can send the data. This data may include a confirmation of a hand wash, the perceived quality of the hand wash, the date and time and a number identifying the portable device.

The detection of a friction movement can be performed by means of an inertial sensor housed in a bracelet and / or a ring of the user. The same inertial sensor can be used to detect the step of pouring liquid soap and to detect the movement of

rubbing hands against each other. A different inertial sensor may be used to detect the liquid soap pouring step and to detect the rubbing motion of the hands against each other.

The inertial sensor may be an accelerometer, for example a triaxial accelerometer. The inertial sensor may be a gyroscope, for example a triaxial gyro. The inertial sensor can be a

accelerometer combined with a gyroscope.

The detection of a friction movement can be performed by means of two inertial sensors on each arm of the user, to detect the relative movement between the two arms.

Various solutions can be implemented to detect a hand wash by performing a relative measurement of the movement of a hand relative to each other, including two synchronized inertial sensors, which is differentiated between signals ; a beacon on one hand with a gonometric sensor on the other; a beacon on one hand with a distance sensor on the other; a beacon and a sensor both geonomical and remote on the other; The beacon can be passive or active. The interaction signal between beacon and sensor can be sound, RF, light, ...

The detection of a friction movement can be carried out by detecting a series of changes in direction of movement of said inertial sensor, along one or more axes. The detection of a friction movement can be performed by measuring the amplitude of the movements of said inertial sensor, for example between two changes of direction of movement, along one or more axes.

The detection of a friction movement can be performed by measuring the frequency of the movements of the inertial sensor according to one or several axes, during a fixed time period. The detection of a frictional movement can be carried out by measuring the period between moments of the movement of the inertial sensor along one or more axes, for example the period between two changes of direction. The detection of a friction movement can be performed by means of a jerk dispersion matrix, acceleration, velocity or trajectory measured using said inertial sensor.

The detection of a friction movement can be carried out by means of a spectral analysis of the acceleration or the derivative of the acceleration (jerk), as well as of the acceleration, the speed, the trajectory, angular acceleration, angular velocity, position and / or orientation.

The detection of a hand washing movement can be performed by recognizing specific frequencies (or frequency interval during the execution of a sequence) of the movement of the hands characterizing the different phases of the washing / disinfection of hands

The detection of a friction movement can be performed by determining the jerk, the acceleration, the speed, the trajectory, the position, the angular acceleration, the angular velocity and / or the orientation of the inertial sensor, and applying a pattern recognition algorithm to these elements to determine if they (if) correspond to a hand washing.

The device may further comprise one or more indicators to indicate a state of hygiene of the hands. The indicators may be constituted by light indicators, each indicator being associated with a hand hygiene parameter. A radio frequency interface may be provided to receive hand hygiene data from one or more external sensors. The system of the present invention can not only be implemented to check the washing of hands for example in the middle

hospital, but also to verify the application of other manual actions, for example to check the cleaning efforts of

cleaning. The detection of cleanings may involve the detection of other displacements by means of an inertial sensor.

The device may further comprise a module for detecting gestures of manual cleaning by friction and / or use gestures of a broom using the data of an inertial sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0047] Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which:

• Figure 1 illustrates Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a

system according to the invention.

• Figure 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a bracelet according to

the invention.

Example (s) of embodiment of the invention

The system of the present invention is intended to be implemented for example in hospital, catering, food or pharmaceutical industry, or any other

environment where a rigorous hand hygiene is necessary and where there is a need to check the correct application of hand hygiene rules.

In the present application, the term soap must be interpreted broadly to include any liquid substance intended for washing hands, including soaps composed of amphiphilic molecules, detergents, disinfectants, alcohol-based products for washing, hydro-alcoholic solutions, etc.

In the present application, the expresssion "hand washing" should be interpreted broadly to include any operation of washing and / or disinfection of hands, among other hydroalcoholic friction, with soap, etc..

In the present application the term trajectory corresponds to a sequence of data corresponding to successive positions in a plane or in a volume. Optionally, the path may also include one, two or three axis orientation in each moment.

The system illustrated schematically in Figure 1 comprises a number of 2,3,4,5 sensors that detect an event that may influence the hygiene of the hands of a user, as well as the less a bracelet 1 capable of receiving data d1, d2, d3, d4 transmitted by the sensors, of itself determining other events related to hand hygiene, and displaying by means of indicators 10.1 1, 12 an indication of hand hygiene.

The sensor 2 includes a stopper 20 of soap container. This cap may be provided with an accelerometer to measure its inclination to detect the use of the soap container, as well as to evaluate the amount of soap poured. The soap container 2 may for example be a portable container, for example a bottle, a bottle or a soft bag. The plug 20 is provided with a wireless interface to send the bracelet 1 data d1 relating to the use of the container and / or the amount of soap used.

The sensor 3 includes a stationary soap dispenser 30, for example a liquid soap dispenser, solid or grated, and capable of detecting a use and sending d2 data relating to this use to the bracelet 1. Data d2 may include an assessment of the amount of soap dispensed. The sensor 4 includes a presence detector 40 which can be placed above a door or other passage in order to detect the passage of a bracelet wearer at this location, and to send to bracelet 1 data d3 relating to this passage. In the same

environment, some presence sensors 40 may be associated with a likely deterioration of hand hygiene, for example when the person enters an area likely to have a high rate of germs, for example near toilets, bins, patients , etc., and other sensors associated with a probable improvement of hand hygiene, for example when the user passes near a sink or a shower.

The element 5 is a server capable of receiving data from the other sensors 2-4, and / or the bracelet 1, and / or other data sources, including, for example, the Internet or databases, and to determine from this information other indications or data d4 transmitted to the bracelet 1 and relating to hand hygiene. The server 5 may, for example, correspond with the other sensors 2-4 by means of a wired interface, for example of the Ethernet, wireless type, for example of the WLAN type. It can also calculate or display reports and statistics on hand hygiene in a given facility. It may also, in one embodiment, control the access of users to certain sensitive areas of the establishment according to an assessment of hand hygiene obtained from signals received from the different sensors or directly from the bracelet 1 . [0057] Other sensors capable of detecting other types

event can be used in this system, including for example one or more cameras for filming users near basins or other places; presence sensors based for example on RFID technology; 2D barcode or barcode readers for detecting barcodes on soap containers; etc.

The data d1 to d4 are preferably transmitted to the bracelet 1 through a wireless interface, for example an interface of the type Bluetooth, Zigbee, NFC (Near Field Communication) or proprietary. A system may include a large number of bracelets 1, which may for example equip all the nursing staff in a hospital, or part of this staff. The data transmitted by one of the sensors 2 to 5 can be transmitted in broadcast with a limited range, so that only a bracelet 1 nearby can intercept it. In another embodiment, only the bracelet that receives these data first, or with the highest intensity, uses it; it then sends a signal that the other bracelets, supposedly more distant, interpret as an order not to exploit these data. In yet another embodiment, the bracelet, or the wearer of the bracelet, is identified with respect to the sensor 2 to 5, for example using a manually entered code, a code

biometric, or transmitted electronic identification

electronically; the sensor 2-5 with which the bracelet is identified then sends data addressed to this bracelet, and interpreted

only by this bracelet 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates, by way of example, a block diagram of FIGS.

main components of the bracelet 1 according to the invention. The bracelet 1 comprises a microcontroller 13 powered by a source of electrical energy not shown, and able to determine one or more

hand hygiene indicators from data measured in bracelet 1 or data d1 to d4 received from external sensors. The module 14 is an inertial sensor, for example a 3D accelerometer, a 3D gyroscope or an accelerometer combined with a gyroscope, which makes it possible to detect the movements of the bracelet 1 and to transmit to the microcontroller 13 sequences of acceleration or angular acceleration. The

microcontroller 13 integrates one or more software modules for analyzing the acceleration data sequences transmitted by the accelerometer 14 and for checking whether they correspond to a hand washing sequence. The operation of these modules will be described later.

The element 15 is a radio frequency interface that allows the bracelet 1 to receive data d1 to d3 sensors 2 to 4,

possibly sending messages to these sensors, and exchanging data with the optional server 5. The element 16 designates one or more additional optional sensors, for example a hygrometry sensor, an alcohol or soap detector, etc. or other modules capable of detecting an event relating to a washing of the hands, or of detecting the quality of this hand washing.

Other optional components may be provided in the bracelet 1, including for example a real-time clock module for determining the time and duration of a handwashing operation or another event. ; an identification module for identifying the bracelet and distinguishing it from the other bracelets vis-à-vis the sensors 2-4 and the server 5; etc. Optionally, the bracelet 1 may also include a watch, a user identification allowing access to protected areas, etc.

Some components of the bracelet 1, including the accelerometer 14, can be arranged in a ring or other parts of the body. It is also possible to provide several accelerometers, for example one on each wrist or on several fingers.

The microcontroller 13 determines from the signals transmitted by the inertial sensor 14, other additional sensors 16 and / or data d1 to d5 received external sensors 2-5 one or more indications representative of hand hygiene. This data is displayed on the bracelet 1 to inform the user at any time or on request of the current state of hygiene of his hands. In the illustrated embodiment, these indications are displayed by means of indicator lights 10-12, for example several light-emitting diodes, each of which corresponds to a hygiene parameter and whose color allows the user to check whether this parameter corresponds to to a sufficient hygiene or not. It is also possible to display on a matrix or segment screen numeric or alphanumeric data indicating the value of each parameter. The various indicators 10 to 12 may therefore correspond to different parameters relating to hand hygiene. Each parameter may correspond to the feedback or data of a given sensor 2-5, 14, 16, or a value calculated from one or more data of one or more sensors. For example, the following parameters can be displayed or combined together to display indications:

• Elapsed time since the last wash

• Average frequency of washings during an interval, for example a week, a month, a year; · Quantity of soap used during the last wash

• The average amount of soap used during an interval, for example a week, a month, a year;

• Quality of washing, for example by checking whether hands have been washed following the sequence of six washing procedures recommended by the WHO, the establishment or any other recommendation;

• Duration of last hand wash;

• Average time of handwashing during an interval, for example a week, a month, a year;

• Use of a fixed soap dispenser 30; · Passage through a given control point 40;

• Other information provided by the server 5.

In one embodiment, several of these parameters, or several combinations between these parameters, are displayed on the bracelet by means of the various indicators 10-12. For example, an indicator indicates by means of a color the time elapsed since the last washing of the hands; the color turns red when this time exceeds a threshold. The threshold can be fixed or depend on the quality of the last hand washing. Another indicator may indicate the quality of the last hand washing, or the average quality, taking into account for example the actions taken, the duration of the washing, the amount of soap used, etc. The user can easily check whether it is time to wash their hands, and if the last wash is sufficient. Different parameters can be combined in different ways to generate an indication for example, it is possible to add different parameters, to calculate their average, their weighted average, or to evaluate any other function of 1 or more parameters transmitted by the sensors 2 -5 or 14,16 to display an indication 10-12.

The detection of hand washing is based in particular on the signals of the inertial sensor 14 in the bracelet 1. A hand washing sequence produces a characteristic signature, generally comprising a first phase during which the user pours soap on a hand almost immobile horizontally, and a second phase during which the user goes rubs hands against the other, if possible following the procedure recommended by WHO or other

recommendations. The microcontroller 13 of the bracelet 1 thus detects, in particular by exploiting the sequences of acceleration data transmitted by the accelerometer 14, the successive presence of these two distinct phases during a close time interval, for example in less than 3 minutes. If the succession of these two stages is established, the

microcontroller 13 determines that in all likelihood the user is washing their hands, and updates the hand hygiene indicators 10-12 on the bracelet. This detection can also be transmitted to an external server, for example for statistical or access control purposes.

The detection of the first washing phase can be based in particular on indications provided by the inertial sensor 14 in the bracelet or in a ring of the user, and interpreted by a module. software executed for example by the microcontroller 13 in the bracelet 1. For example, the microcontroller 13 can detect using the signals of the inertial sensor 14 a posture of the hand, and check if this posture corresponds to the expected posture of a hand that receives liquid soap. The expected posture typically corresponds to a particular orientation of the hands and wrists, almost horizontal, almost motionless, palms generally upwards to accommodate the liquid soap. When this posture is held for a sufficient duration, for example a duration at least equal to the time required to pour the dose of soap prescribed in the hand, for example at least two seconds, the

microcontroller 13 can conclude, with high probability, a soap pouring step.

In one embodiment, it is also possible to detect the soap pouring phase by means of an inertial sensor connected to the hand which pours the soap. It is also possible to detect the soap pouring phase by means of a first hand-connected sensor that pours the soap, and a second sensor linked to the hand that receives the soap.

The detection of a posture of the hand may comprise a comparison of the orientation of the hand relative to the vertical angle, determined using the acceleration signals transmitted by the inertial sensor 14, and the detecting a situation of quasi-immobility for a predetermined duration. A quasi-immobility can for example be detected when the maximum angle of movement of the hand of the user relative to the horizontal plane, or to a predefined resting plane exceeds 30 ° for a predetermined time greater than a minimum and lower to a maximum. It happens that the user moves the receiving hand while pouring the soap, but while keeping this hand in a relatively horizontal orientation, for example spoon.

The condition of quasi-immobility during the soap pouring phase can also be verified by measuring the jerk, that is to say the derivative of the acceleration measured by the inertial sensor 14. When the

microcontroller 13 determines that the value of the jerk remains below one threshold predetermined for a predetermined time greater than a minimum and less than a maximum, the hand is in all likelihood immobile. It remains to be checked whether the hand is in a direction conducive to the pouring of liquid soap. The detection of receipt of liquid soap can also be carried out by means of signals obtained by external sensors 2-5, 16. For example, the soap reception detection can be based in whole or in part on a signal of use transmitted by a cap 20 of container 2 of liquid soap. In one embodiment, the detection of receipt of liquid soap is performed by means of a determined usage signal by measuring the inclination of the plug by means of an inertial sensor in the plug. The detection of receipt of liquid soap can also be carried out by means of a liquid soap dispenser 30 provided with a use detector. The liquid soap reception detection can also be carried out by means of cameras and image processing software capable of detecting a pouring movement of liquid soap. A camera may be attached to another body part of the user, or fixed relative to the building, for example near a sink. A

The probability of pouring liquid soap higher can be determined if the user is for example near a sink or in another place provided with an access control point 40. Several detection means can be combined between them to increase the reliability of the determination of the phases of pouring liquid soap. For example, a detection of pouring liquid soap can be detected with a probability close to 100% when a posture corresponding to such a payment is detected by the inertial sensor 14, and an electronic stopper 20 close sends a signal of use of liquid soap, and moreover a presence detector 40 nearby indicates that the user is near a sink. The detection of the second washing phase, during which the user rubs his hands against each other, can be based on the sequences of acceleration data produced by the inertial sensor 14 housed in a bracelet and / or a ring of the user, and interpreted by the microcontroller for example 13. A hand washing sequence produces a signature generally comprising a repetition of several cycles of movements or round-trip rotations with an amplitude and a frequency of each characteristic cycle, and that one can not found hardly in other gestures of everyday life. The microcontroller 13 is thus able to detect these particular sequences and to determine that it is a sequence in which the user rubs his hands against each other to wash them.

[0073] In order to discriminate the movement of the friction of the hands with respect to other movements, a conventional method of pattern recognition can be used, including: parameterization, learning and classification.

The detection of a friction movement can be performed by means of two inertial sensor sensors 14 on each arm of the user, in order to detect the relative displacement between the two arms. In one embodiment, the user carries two bracelets 1, one on each arm, each equipped with an accelerometer and which communicate with each other and exchange data obtained from the measurements of the inertial sensors 14, in order to compare the movements and to check if the

Relative movement is a movement of hands rubbing against each other when washing hands.

The detection of a friction movement can be carried out by the microcontroller 13 by means of one or more inertial sensors 14, by detecting a series of changes in direction of movement of the inertial sensor.

The detection of a friction movement can be performed by the microcontroller 13 by measuring the amplitude of the movements of the inertial sensor 14 between two changes of direction of displacement.

The detection of a friction movement can be performed by the microcontroller 13 by measuring the frequency of changes of movement direction of the inertial sensor during a fixed time period.

The detection of a friction movement can be carried out by the microcontroller 13 by means of a dispersion matrix of the jerk, the acceleration, the speed or the trajectory measured and obtained using the sensor. inertial. In the case where the sensor used is a triaxial accelerometer, the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a dispersion matrix as well as the spectral analysis of the derivative of the acceleration (jerk) can be used for the identification of gestures of recommended washing. The detection of a friction movement can be performed by the microcontroller 13 by means of a spectral analysis of the jerk, the acceleration, the speed or the trajectory.

The detection of a friction movement can be carried out by the microcontroller 13 by determining the trajectory of the inertial sensor 14, and by applying a pattern recognition algorithm to this trajectory to determine whether it corresponds to a handwashing. .

On the basis of the acceleration signals of the inertial sensor 14, the detection of a friction movement can be performed by the microcontroller 13 in the bracelet 1, or by an external processor, for example a processor in a server 5 remote.

The microcontroller 13 can not only check whether a hand washing was performed, but also evaluate and display the quality of this wash. The quality of the washing may for example depend on the duration of the rubbing phase of the hands. The quality of the washing can depend on the intensity of the friction between the hands. The quality of the washing may depend on the gestures made during the rubbing phase, for example by checking whether these gestures are in accordance with the washing movements prescribed. The quality of the washing may depend on the amount of soap used. A wash quality score can be calculated. A bracelet 1 allows the detection of hand disinfection gestures and their qualities. Iteration with other devices makes it possible to acquire additional and / or additional information concerning hand hygiene. For example, the detection of a contact by the bracelet 1 provides information on a risk of contamination, and / or the need to disinfect the hands according to information.

complementary as well as on the basis of the sequence of gestures involving a reduction of contacts. The bracelet 1 can be equipped with an antenna, or any other sensor, whose state changes when a hand contact with the wrist strap with any surface of an object or a

infrastructure. The detection of this change in the bracelet allows to detect, record and transmit the moment (day, hour, minute, second) of this contact. This information is then coupled with the other information available.

[0086] A third person can contribute to the improvement of hand hygiene by providing information to the hand washing verification system. For example, an observer, who may be a patient in a hospital, is equipped with a mobile device to evaluate

the disinfestation operation of the user wearing the bracelet 1.

This portable device may be a proprietary device with wireless transmission capacity (eg Bluetooth, Zigbee, NFC or owner) and having for example two buttons / keys: one to indicate disinfection not executed (at the right time ) and the other to indicate disinfection performed. In another embodiment, buttons may be used to indicate whether the

disinfection was correctly performed (yes / no). Preferably, the dimensions of this portable device make it suitable for wearing

discreetly in the hand and to be operated by the fingers of the hand carrying it. By directing the mobile device to the bracelet 1 of the caregiver having performed a hand disinfection gesture before or after taking care of the patient, the information recorded by the patient is recorded in the bracelet 1 of this caregiver. This information may include the date (hour, minute, second), bracelet identity, hand washing (yes / no) and / or the quality of the hand wash.

This portable device may be a mobile and / or multimedia device, for example a smartphone, a PDA or a tablet, so as to use a computing platform offering various means of wireless transmission, which can reduce the costs of the wearable device.

The registration procedure in the bracelet 1 can be carried out as follows:

Establish a contact by a wireless / RF transmission between the portable device and the bracelet 1;

Confirmation of contact, for example by vibration of the portable device;

Enabling the transmission of information by an appropriate command (button, key, etc.) of the portable device. [0091] Admitting that an anonymous feedback can push

the user of the bracelet to improve his hand hygiene, some of the information can be made anonymous to the user of the bracelet 1 as well as information can be made inaccessible for a predefined period of time. For example, the information can be made inaccessible the same day of storage to prevent the user can know the origin of the information. For the same reason, information

concerning the dates of hand washes may be rendered inaccessible to the user. In this example, the user has access to the only data concerning his percentage of overall performance perceived by all the observers and / or patients having given an opinion on his practice.

Third parties can also contribute to the improvement of hand hygiene by sponsoring a (or) bracelets, or a bracelet worn by a user who is assigned anonymously. Data reflecting the functioning of the bracelet (for example the number of hours of use per day, see in some cases the number of

disinfections per day and their average level of quality) are accessible via the Internet on a dedicated website. The (anonymous) person can send a feedback to the user (anonymous in person, in place) wearing this bracelet on the use of the latter. In some cases, the transmission of feedback is not done to the user (or the bracelet) but on a site where the opinions are synthesized in a global feedback of the public (for example the average of the opinions or any other value of synthesis) .

This feedback is for example a notation on a scale of 1 to 5. A help grid on the site provides explanations of the results transmitted by the bracelet and the correspondence between them and the scale of 1 to 5 used. This feedback may be displayed (at the request of the wearer or not) on the bracelet. The feedback of a third person is transmitted to the bracelet, either by direct RF transmission, or when the user connects the bracelet to the tracking software.

The bracelet may be permanently assigned to a user or chosen each morning by a user. In this case, the feedback transmitted to the bracelet is an average of the opinion on (for example) the last 7 days of use.

The risk of contamination increases with the contact with surfaces or objects. A good sequence of care vis-à-vis infectious risks will therefore be, among other things, a sequence that minimizes these contacts. The detection of successions of the following sequence:

Contacts and / or proximity of a surface with the bracelet of

the user ; Use of a medical device / object by proximity with the bracelet;

Disinfection of hands; allows to analyze the care sequences, among others from the point of view of the risk of contamination. These analyzes offer the possibility of modifying the sequences in order to reduce the risk of contamination and thus to reduce the risks of infection. These analyzes also make it possible to improve the ergonomics of the care sequences and to save time.

The bracelet 1 can thus be equipped with a reader, for example of RFID or NFC type, to identify medical devices, objects, infrastructure surfaces and / or places carrying pellets detectable by the reader. Ideally, for hand hygiene, the wristband should be worn on the left wrist for a right-handed person.

The system of the present invention can not only be implemented to check the washing of hands for example in a hospital environment, but also to verify the application of other manual gestures, for example to check the cleaning efforts. employees of

cleaning. The detection of cleanings may involve the detection of other movements by means of an inertial sensor 14.

The cleaning of the patient's environment (or, in general, the premises of the treatment centers) is one of the parameters making it possible to control the contamination and thus to reduce the risks of infection. Whatever cleaning solutions used, manual cleaning is almost always practiced. Whether alone or for example in preliminary to the use of an aerosol of a disinfectant propagated in the air in order to be deposited in a homogeneous way throughout the treated room.

According to independent features of the invention, a bracelet can be equipped with an inertial sensor and programmed with software that allows the detection of manual cleaning actions by friction. It is thus possible to check the cleaning of surfaces close to the patient (bed, bedside table, telephone, medical devices, etc.), as well as door handles, etc. The same wristband can be equipped with a posture detection hand washing detection system and a friction surface washing detection system. A bracelet can also be equipped only with one or the other of these two detection systems.

[00103] The use of a broom or similar system can also be recognized by the bracelet.

[00104] Ideally, the bracelet should be worn on the right wrist for a right-handed person and on the left wrist for a left-handed person. [00105] The recognition of the frequency and the duration of the cleaning can be transmitted to the staff by a direct feedback made by the bracelet, by means of a display in a software on a support such as a computer, a tablet, a smartphone or any other media.

[00106] The information can also be transmitted to a server, by e-mail to the persons concerned, be the subject of a summary

transmitted by different media.

[00107] The hypothesis is that this feedback improves the quality of the

cleaning, decreases environmental contamination and reduces infections. The information provided by the bracelet (duration of cleaning, frequency of cleaning, moments of cleaning, nature of cleanings, quality of cleaning) are correlated with the results of microbiological samples validating the microbiological quality of cleaning, marking records with substances such as fluorescine to estimate where cleaning has been done.

[00109] The information on the quality of hand hygiene and the quality of the cleaning make it possible to estimate the influences of the latter on nosocomial infections. This makes it possible to strengthen the means and the measures to be taken to strengthen one or the other of these elements, or both.

Claims

claims

1. Hand washing detection method using an inertial sensor, comprising:

a first detection of a hand posture for receiving liquid soap, followed by:

a second detection of a frictional movement by means of said inertial sensor (14);

handwashing determination in case of first detection followed by second detection.

The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting a hand posture comprises comparing the orientation of the hand, and detecting a quasi- immobility situation for a predetermined duration.

The method of one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said detecting a hand posture comprises detecting that a jerk value is below a predetermined threshold for a predetermined duration.

4. The method of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said detection of a hand posture is performed by means of an inertial sensor (14).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said detection of a hand posture is performed by means of the inertial sensor (14) in a wristband (1) worn by the user.

The method of claim 4, wherein said detection of a hand posture is performed by means of an inertial sensor in a ring worn by the user.

7. The method of one of claims 1 to 6, comprising receiving a usage signal transmitted by a cap (20) of container (2) of liquid soap.

The method of claim 7, wherein said usage signal is determined by verifying the opening of said plug (20) by means of a sensor in said plug.

9. The method of one of claims 1 to 8, comprising receiving a signal transmitted by a liquid soap dispenser (30) provided with a usage detector.

The method of one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said second detection of a frictional movement is effected by means of said inertial sensor (14) housed in a bracelet (1) and / or a ring of the user.

1 1. The method of one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said second detection of a rubbing motion is performed by detecting the relative displacement between the two arms.

The method of one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said second detection of a rubbing motion is performed by detecting a series of changes in direction of movement of said inertial sensor (14).

The method of one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said second detection of a rubbing motion is performed by measuring the amplitude of the displacements of said inertial sensor (14) between two changes of direction of displacement.

The method of one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said second detection of a rubbing motion is performed by measuring the directional change frequency of the displacements of said inertial sensor (14) over a fixed period of time.

The method of one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said second detection of a rubbing motion is performed by recognizing specific hand movement frequencies characterizing different phases of handwashing.

16. The method of one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said second detection of a friction movement is performed by means of a matrix of the dispersion of a jerk, of linear and / or angular accelerations. , linear and / or angular velocities, orientations, positions and / or trajectories, measured with the aid of said inertial sensor (14).

The method of one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said second detection of a frictional movement is performed by means of spectral analysis of the jerk, linear and / or angular acceleration, velocity linear and / or angular, orientations, positions and / or trajectories.

18. The method of one of claims 1 to 17, wherein said second detection of a friction movement is performed by determining jerk, linear and / or angular acceleration, linear and / or angular velocity, orientation, position and / or trajectory of said inertial sensor (14), and applying a shape recognition algorithm to determine if it corresponds to hand washing.

The method of one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising wirelessly transmitting to said wristband (1) data relating to a note and / or notation concerning hand washing by a mobile device.

The method of claim 19, wherein said data relating to said note and / or notation include a confirmation that a hand wash has been performed, the perceived quality of said hand wash, the date and time of said wash. and / or a number identifying said portable device.

21. A hand washing detection device, comprising:

an inertial sensor (14) connected to a wrist or a finger of

the user ;

a microcontroller (13) adapted to receive data from said inertial sensor and comprising a hand posture detection module for receiving liquid soap, as well as a module for detecting a friction movement by means of said data of the inertial sensor (14).

22. The device of claim 21, arranged to implement the method of one of claims 1 to 20.

23. The device of one of claims 21 to 22, further comprising one or more indicators (10-12) for indicating a state of hand hygiene.

24. The device of claim 23, said indicators (10-12) being constituted by light indicators, each indicator light being associated with a hand hygiene parameter.

25. The device of one of claims 21 to 24, further comprising a radiofrequency interface (15) for receiving data relating to the hand hygiene of one or more external sensors (2-5).

26. The device of one of claims 21 to 25, further comprising a module for detecting manual friction cleaning gestures by means of said data of the inertial sensor (14).

27. The device of one of claims 21 to 26, further comprising a module for detecting use of a brush using said data of the inertial sensor (14).