System and method for monitoring hand hygiene

• US 10,042,984 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2015
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sterilogy, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sterilogy, LLC
• Inventors: Zaima, Harold H., Ahlgren, Bradley D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PANCHOLI, VISHAL J
• Application Number:
  US14/695,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20150227705A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 222 23, 222 36, 222 38, 222 52, 222 78, 222100, 222113, 222162, 222175, 2221811-1813, 22218336
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/05 Holder or carrier for specific articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/021 to the belt
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1201 hand-carried
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0038 Inner container disposed in an outer shell or outer casing
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0059 allowing operation in any orientation, e.g. for discharge in inverted position
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/108 Means for counting the number of dispensing strokes
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1084 each liquid or other fluent material being pumped by a separate pump
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/02 for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/62 Arrangements for supporting spraying apparatus, e.g. suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/386 actuation occurring by moving the aerosol container relative to the outer shell or external container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/68 Dispensing two or more contents , e.g. sequential dispensing or simultaneous dispensing of two or more products without mixing them
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/7532 comprising alternative flow directions or replaceable or interchangeable outlets
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information

Abstract

System and method for monitoring hand hygiene of a user. The system includes a handheld electronic device for being carried by the user to generate device data such as location data. A portable dispenser assembly is worn by the user to dispense disinfectant fluid from a container in a plurality of dispensing events. The assembly includes an electronics unit that generates event data relating to the dispensing events. The assembly is separate from the handheld electronic device yet configured to communicate with the handheld electronic device. A monitoring system receives the device data and the event data relating to the dispensing events for evaluating the hand hygiene of the user.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring hand hygiene, said system comprising:

a handheld electronic device configured to generate device location data and to be carried by a user;

a portable dispenser assembly for being worn by the user to dispense disinfectant fluid from a container in a plurality of dispensing events, said assembly being separate from said handheld electronic device and including;

a main housing defining a cavity for receiving the container in an inverted position and defining an opening into said cavity through which the container is inserted in the inverted position so that a stem is directed downwardly in said main housing;

said main housing including a bottom wall, a side wall, a nozzle fixed with respect to said walls wherein said nozzle defines an inlet opposite said opening for receiving the stem of the container in the inverted position and said nozzle defines an outlet configured to direct the disinfectant fluid from the container laterally toward the user when the user depresses the container relative to said main housing to dispense the disinfectant fluid from the container; and

a mounting element coupled to said main housing and configured to attach said assembly to the user so that the container is capable of being oriented in the inverted position with respect to the user; and

an electronics unit coupled to said main housing to generate event data relating to the dispensing events;

a monitoring system to receive the device location data and the event data relating to the dispensing events for evaluating hand hygiene of the user.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said handheld electronic device includes a radio frequency receiver and said electronics unit includes a radio frequency transmitter for communicating the event data from said electronics unit to said handheld electronic device.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said handheld electronic device includes a radio frequency transmitter and said electronics unit includes a radio frequency receiver for communicating the device location data from said handheld electronic device to said electronics unit.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1 including an electronic emitter for generating an activation signal to prompt a dispensing event wherein said electronics unit includes a controller and a sensor operatively connected to said controller for detecting the activation signal from said electronic emitter.

5. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said electronics unit includes a first alarm generator in communication with said controller, said first alarm generator including at least one of a first visual annunciator, a first audible annunciator, or a first tactile annunciator; and

said controller is configured to activate said first alarm generator to generate a first alarm after said sensor receives the activation signal from said electronic emitter, and said controller is configured to terminate the first alarm generated by said first alarm generator in response to detecting a dispensing event.

6. The system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said electronics unit includes a second alarm generator including at least one of a second visual annunciator, a second audible annunciator, or a second tactile annunciator, wherein said controller is configured to activate said second alarm generator to generate a second alarm after said sensor receives the activation signal from said electronic emitter and after activation of said first alarm generator.

7. The system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said controller is configured to provide a delay of a predetermined period of time before activating said first alarm generator to generate the first alarm after detection of the activation signal.

8. The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said sensor includes one of a wireless sensor, a radio frequency identification tag, a radio frequency identification reader, an infrared sensor, a radio frequency antenna, or an ultrasound sensor.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said electronic emitter includes a wire antenna configured for mounting to a bed.

10. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said controller includes a counter to count dispensing events, said controller configured to alert the user of low disinfectant fluid and automatically reset said counter upon replacement of the container.

11. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said electronic emitter includes a motion detector having an infrared sensor for detecting the user and a radio frequency transmitter operatively connected to said motion detector to generate the activation signal in response to detecting the user.

12. The system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said motion detector is configured to generate a plurality of infrared beams so that said controller is able to determine a direction of motion of the user.

13. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said assembly includes a flexible portion protruding into said cavity for being engaged by the container and flex when the container is inserted into said cavity.

14. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said electronic emitter is configured to focus and pulse the activation signal for receipt by said sensor of said electronics unit to prevent inadvertent activation of other portable dispenser assemblies.

15. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said electronic emitter includes a reader configured to read identification tags, said electronic emitter configured to generate the activation signal in response to reading an identification tag of the user if the identification tag of the user is a specified identification tag configured to cause said electronic emitter to generate the activation signal.

16. The system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said controller is configured to distinguish between a plurality of different activation signals associated with a plurality of different user types and said controller is configured to generate the first alarm when the activation signal generated by said electronic emitter is associated with a user type assigned to said assembly.

17. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said assembly includes a second nozzle defining a second inlet for receiving a second disinfectant fluid from a second container and a second outlet for directing the second disinfectant fluid toward the user, said nozzles being spaced and fixed relative to each other.

19. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said electronics unit includes a controller, a sensor configured to receive an activation signal, and an alarm generator including at least one of a visual annunciator, an audible annunciator, or a tactile annunciator;

and

said controller is configured to activate said alarm generator to generate an alarm after said sensor receives the activation signal and to terminate the alarm generated by said alarm generator in response to detecting a dispensing event.

18. A method for monitoring hand hygiene by a user, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a portable dispenser assembly for being worn by the user to dispense disinfectant fluid from a container in a plurality of dispensing events, the assembly including;

a main housing defining a cavity for receiving the container in an inverted position and defining an opening into said cavity through which the container is inserted in the inverted position so that a stem is directed downwardly in said main housing;

said main housing including a bottom wall, a side wall, a nozzle fixed with respect to said walls wherein said nozzle defines an inlet opposite said opening for receiving the stem of the container in the inverted position and said nozzle defines an outlet configured to direct the disinfectant fluid from the container laterally toward the user when the user depresses the container relative to said main housing to dispense the disinfectant fluid from the container;

a mounting element coupled to said main housing and configured to attach said assembly to the user so that the container is capable of being oriented in the inverted position with respect to the user; and

an electronics unit coupled to the main housing to generate event data relating to the dispensing events; and

collecting, at a monitoring system, the event data generated by the electronics unit; and

collecting, at the monitoring system, device location data generated by a handheld electronic device, wherein the handheld electronic device is separate from the portable dispenser assembly and configured to be carried by a user and communicate with the electronics unit.

20. A system for monitoring hand hygiene, said system comprising:

an electronic emitter for generating an activation signal to prompt a dispensing event;

a handheld electronic device configured to generate device location data and to be carried by a user;

a portable dispenser assembly for being worn by the user to dispense disinfectant fluid from a container in a plurality of dispensing events, said assembly being separate from said handheld electronic device and including;

a main housing defining a cavity for receiving the container;

a nozzle defining an inlet for receiving the disinfectant fluid from the container and an outlet for directing the disinfectant fluid toward the user; and

an electronics unit including;

a controller and a sensor operatively connected to said controller for detecting the activation signal from said electronic emitter;

a first alarm generator in communication with said controller, said first alarm generator including at least one of a first visual annunciator, a first audible annunciator, or a first tactile annunciator wherein said controller is configured to activate said first alarm generator to generate a first alarm after said sensor receives the activation signal from said electronic emitter, and said controller is configured to terminate the first alarm generated by said first alarm generator in response to detecting a dispensing event;

a second alarm generator including at least one of a second visual annunciator, a second audible annunciator, or a second tactile annunciator, wherein said controller is configured to activate said second alarm generator to generate a second alarm after said sensor receives the activation signal from said electronic emitter and after activation of said first alarm generator;

wherein said controller is configured to distinguish between a plurality of different activation signals associated with a plurality of different user types and said controller is configured to generate the first alarm when the activation signal generated by said electronic emitter is associated with a user type assigned to said assembly; and

a monitoring system to receive the device location data and event data relating to the dispensing events for evaluating hand hygiene of the user.