RF CONTROLLED DEVICES TO INCREASE COMPLIANCE WITH HANDWASHING PROTOCOLS

• US 20090237254A1
• Filed: 06/03/2009
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Duke University
• Original Assignee: Duke University
• Inventors: Munro, Andrew D., Munro, Robert G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,804,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands

Abstract

A system for monitoring compliance with handwashing protocols by a plurality of workers, each worker carrying a wireless tag having a worker identifier, the monitoring being performed in a facility having a plurality of areas, the system comprising a plurality of wireless tag reader/transmitters each having an area identifier, at least one wireless tag reader/transmitter being positioned in each of the areas and each wireless tag reader/transmitter being capable of reading the worker identifier stored in the wireless tag when the worker is within range of the wireless tag reader/transmitter and further capable of transmitting the worker and area identifiers to at least one computing device; and at least one of said wireless tag reader/transmitters being disposed at a handwashing station; wherein the at least one wireless tag reader/transmitter reads the worker identifier when the worker manipulates a device at the handwashing station dispensing a washing substance and transmits the worker and area identifiers to the at least one computing device.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring compliance with handwashing protocols by a plurality of workers, each worker carrying a wireless tag having a worker identifier, the monitoring being performed in a facility having a plurality of areas, the system comprising:

a plurality of wireless tag reader/transmitters each having an area identifier, at least one wireless tag reader/transmitter being positioned in each of the areas and each wireless tag reader/transmitter being capable of reading the worker identifier stored in the wireless tag when the worker is within range of the wireless tag reader/transmitter and further capable of transmitting the worker and area identifiers to at least one computing device; and

at least one of said wireless tag reader/transmitters being disposed at a handwashing station;

wherein the at least one wireless tag reader/transmitter reads the worker identifier when the worker manipulates a device at the handwashing station dispensing a washing substance and transmits the worker and area identifiers to the at least one computing device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the handwashing station is selected from at least one of a cleanser dispenser and a sink with a faucet.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein, the at least one handwashing station further comprises a sensor for sensing the worker manipulating the at least one handwashing station and triggering the wireless tag reader/transmitter to send a first signal to the computing device at the beginning of handwashing and further for sensing that handwashing is complete and triggering the wireless tag reader/transmitter to send a second signal to the computing device, whereby the duration of handwashing is computed by a time difference between the first and second signals.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the handwashing station comprises a water faucet, and the faucet includes a device for measuring the amount of water used and for generating a signal to be returned to the computing device related to the amount of water used.