System and method for hand hygiene compliance management and horizontal pump dispenser therefor

• US 20070229288A1
• Filed: 03/13/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jose Ruiz, Kirk Ogrin, Rodney F. Ogrin, Ron Cagle
• Original Assignee: Jose Ruiz, Kirk Ogrin, Rodney F. Ogrin, Ron Cagle
• Inventors: Ruiz, Jose, Cagle, Ron, Ogrin, Rodney F., Ogrin, Kirk
• Granted Patent: US 7,825,812 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/006 Details or accessories general details G01F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands

Abstract

Systems and methods for hand hygiene compliance management include a hand-held personal liquid dispenser including a pump and pump plunger that dispenses liquid from a reservoir inside the dispenser when depressed. The dispenser includes circuitry that detects and records each depression of the plunger, and a port for connection to an external computer to transfer data such as identifiers for the dispenser and its user, and time and date of dispenser usage. A compliance system includes scheduling, training and education in the use of such dispensers, and data collection to track compliance with desired dispenser usage standards. The system may include receivers, transmitters and transceivers to detect and record hand hygiene opportunities, as in patient-occupied areas in a hospital, and transmit personal dispenser usage and other data to a computer.

Claims

1. A system and method for training and monitoring of hygiene compliance comprising

dispensing to a user a single-hand, body-worn personal solution dispenser for delivery of said solution into the human hand;

and

electronic tracking of usage of said single-hand body-worn personal solution dispenser.

2. A system and method for training and monitoring of hygiene compliance as defined in claim 1 wherein the system and method further comprises the step of downloading compliance data from said dispenser to an external computer.

3. A system and method for training and monitoring of hygiene compliance as defined in claim 2 wherein the system and method further comprises the step of providing audio behavior modification cues in a training circuit located inside of said dispenser.

4. A system and method for training and monitoring of hygiene compliance as defined in claim 2 wherein the system and method further comprises the step of generating usage reports from said external computer.

5. A system and method for training and monitoring of hygiene compliance as defined in claim 4 wherein said system and method further comprises the step of providing training and reinforcement for identified non-compliance with pre-determined hygiene compliance thresholds.

6. A system and method for training and monitoring of hygiene compliance as defined in claim 1 wherein said dispenser further comprises

a main housing;

a discharge outlet;

a supply of said solution to be dispensed through said discharge outlet;

an internally-positioned data acquisition circuit;

wherein said main housing is of an overall size to be usable by one hand;

actuating means for discharging said solution through said discharge outlet;

securing means operatively associated with said main housing for securing said main housing to a person, whereby the dispenser may be worn on the person for transport with the person;

said discharge outlet dispensing said solution when said actuating means is activated while said securing means secures said main housing to a person.

7. A method and system according to claim 1 wherein said solution is a sanitizer.

8. A system and method as defined in claim 6 wherein said internally-positioned data acquisition circuit is a printed circuit board.

9. A system and method as defined in claim 6 wherein said internally-positioned data acquisition circuit is a computer chip.

10. A system and method as defined in claim 6 wherein said internally-positioned data acquisition circuit is linked to said actuating means.

11. A system and method as defined in claim 10 wherein each time said actuating is activated a switch closes and said internally-positioned data acquisition circuit records the date and time of said activation of said actuating means.

12. A system and method as defined in claim 6 wherein said internally-positioned data acquisition circuit further comprises a port for connection to and communication with an external computer to transfer data from said internally-positioned data acquisition circuit.

13. A system and method as defined in claim 12 wherein said data further comprises user identification, dispenser identification and usage data.

14. A system and method as defined in claim 12 wherein said communication with said external communication is accomplished wirelessly.

15. A system and method as defined in claim 6 wherein said internally-positioned data acquisition circuit further comprises

a microswitch;

an audio amplifier;

volume control;

a timer circuit;

a logic circuit;

a on/off control;

a dip switch; and

a speaker.

16. A system and method as defined in claim 15 wherein said volume control is controlled by a potentiometer.

17. A system and method as defined in claim 15 wherein said volume control is controlled by software.

18. A system and method as defined in claim 15 wherein said on/off control is controlled by a manual toggle switch.

19. A system and method as defined in claim 15 wherein said on/off control is controlled by software.

20. A system and method as defined in claim 15 wherein said dip switch is software controlled.

21. A system and method as defined in claim 3 wherein a detection means for detecting said audio trainer circuit is placed in frequented areas and upon entry of said audio trainer circuit into said frequented areas, data transfer is initiated, successful transmission of said data verified and said audio trainer circuit re-set for further data collection.

22. A system and method as defined in claim 21 wherein an audio cue is generated upon detection by said detection means of the presence of said audio trainer circuit in said frequented areas.

23. A system and method as defined in claim 21 wherein said frequented areas include those from the group comprising:

the main entrance of a facility, the employee entrance to a facility, the cafeteria of a facility, or patient-care areas of a facility.