Handwashing Compliance Detection System

• US 20100265059A1
• Filed: 06/09/2008
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biovigil Hygiene Technologies LLC (BioVigil Healthcare Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Christopher Batich, Donn Michael Dennis, Nikolaus Gravenstein, Richard J. Melker
• Inventors: Batich, Christopher, Dennis, Donn Michael, Melker, Richard J., Gravenstein, Nikolaus
• Granted Patent: US 8,525,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.110
• 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

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring use of handwashing agents to determine compliance with hand hygiene guidelines. A handwashing agent is provided with a detectable, volatile compound, such as odors, which is then rubbed onto a subject'"'"'s hands using the subject'"'"'s handwashing technique. After the handwashing event, the subject'"'"'s hand is then exposed to an detector (such as a badge), which includes a sensor capable of detecting the volatile compound, and an indicator that communicates detection of the volatile compound, indicating use of the handwashing agent and hand hygiene compliance.

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A system for monitoring hand hygiene of a subject, the system comprising:

a handwashing agent comprising a taggant to generate a handwashing adherence marker, HWAM;

a detector comprising a sensor; and

an indicator operably connected to the sensor;

wherein the sensor is capable of detecting the HWAM, the indicator communicates information from the sensor regarding whether there has been an HWAM detection, said HWAM being detectable by said sensor on or emanating from the hands of a subject immediately or within a short period of time after a handwashing event utilizing said handwashing agent comprising said taggant.

27. The system of claim 26, further comprising a subject identifying device, and wherein said sensor is comprised in a wearable detector or wherein said sensor is comprised within a detector located at a particular location in relation to a handwashing station.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the handwashing agent is selected from the group consisting of:

alcohol-based hand rubs;

antimicrobial soaps;

antiseptic hand washes;

antiseptic hand rubs;

detergents;

soaps;

waterless antiseptic agents; and

surgical hand scrubs.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein the taggant to generate the HWAM is selected from the group consisting of esters, carbonate esters, acetals, ketals, aliphatic higher alcohols, aromatic alcohols, thioalcohols, thiols, fatty acids, aliphatic higher aldehydes, aromatic aldehydes, ethers, thioethers, phenol ethers, ketones, phenols, lactones, terpens, aliphatic higher hydrocarbons, furfurals, indoles, amines, and isothiocyanate. Specific examples of the above chemical classes plus other potential taggants include:

dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetaldehyde, acetophenone, trans-Anethole (1-methoxy-4-propenyl benzene) (anise), benzaldehyde (benzoic aldehyde), benzyl alcohol, benzyl cinnamate, cadinene, camphene, camphor, cinnamaldehyde (3-phenylpropenal), garlic, citronellal, cresol, cyclohexane, eucalyptol, and eugenol, eugenyl methyl ether;

butyl isobutyrate (n-butyl 2, methyl propanoate) (pineapple);

citral (2-trans-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-actadiene-1-al);

menthol (1-methyl-4-isopropylcyclohexane-3-ol);

α

-Pinene (2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo-(3,1,1)-2-heptene);

sodium bisulfate, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, polyglycerol polyricinoleic acid, calcium casein peptone-calcium phosphate, botanicals (e.g., chrysanthemum;

licorice;

jellywort, honeysuckle;

lophatherum, mulberry leaf;

frangipani;

selfheal;

sophora flower bud), ferrous bisglycinate chelate, seaweed-derived calcium, DHASCO (docosahexaenoic acid-rich single-cell oil) and ARASCO (arachidonic acid-rich single-cell oil), fructooligosaccharide, trehalose, gamma cyclodextrin, phytosterol esters, gum arabic, potassium bisulfate, stearyl alcohol, erythritol, D-tagatose, and mycoprotein.

30. The system of claim 26, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

high electron mobility transistors (HEMT), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), polymer based membranes-chemoresistive (Cyranose);

polymer-surface acoustic wave (SAW) and electrochemical chemical array (Hazmatcad and Hazmatcad Plus);

spectroscopy-based analysis;

visible spectroscopy;

UV spectroscopy;

TIF TIFXP-1A Negative Corona Leak Detector;

negative ion capture sensors;

heated sensors/ceramic semiconductor sensors;

infrared absorption;

nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy;

photoemission spectroscopy;

Raman spectroscopy;

Fourier transform spectroscopy—

FTIR;

time-resolved spectroscopy;

flame spectroscopy;

plasma emission spectroscopy;

force spectroscopy;

dielectric spectroscopy;

circular dichroism spectroscopy;

refractory indices;

metal oxide sensors; and

sensors based on microcantilevers, molecularly imprinted polymers, and amplifying fluorescent polymers.

31. The system of claim 26, wherein at least one or a combination of the following elements applies:

a. the sensor is an electronic nose;

b. the indicator comprises a computer processor in which visual, audible, and/or tactile results are provided;

c. the indicator further comprises a processing means;

d. the system further comprising a communications device;

e. the system further comprises an electronic clock;

f. the system further comprises a means for active HWAM detection;

g. the sensor is comprised within a stationary detector at a fixed location in relation to a handwashing station;

h. the taggant is a volatile or semi-volatile compound;

i. the indicator is in the form of a wearable or portable housing;

j. direct contact of the taggant with the sensor is not required;

k. at least one transmitter and at least one detector is utilized to document the time and date that a uniquely identified subject comes into proximity to a particular location, said system further documenting whether at the time of said proximity, the HWAM was detected by the system;

l. the HWAM is only generated following contact of said taggant with the skin of the subject;

m. the taggant to generate the HWAM is either a halogenated compound or a non-ordinary but non-radioactive isotope.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein at least one or a combination of the following additional elements applies:

a. the indicator is comprised within a badge worn by said subject;

b. the means for active HWAM detection is a suction pump that directs air flow to the sensor;

c. said at least one transmitter and said at least one detector discriminates between proximity of said subject which does not implicate contact and proximity of said subject which does implicate contact with another person, such that the detection of said HWAM is not required in the former instance and is required in the latter instance in order for said subject to be in compliance with handwashing requirements.

33. The system according to claim 26 wherein said sensor is comprised within a detector located at a particular location in relation to a handwashing station, and wherein at least one transmitter and at least one detector is utilized to document the time and date that a uniquely identified subject comes into proximity to a particular location, said system further documenting whether at the time of said proximity, the HWAM was detected by the system.

34. A method for monitoring hand hygiene by a subject, comprising:

(a) providing a handwashing agent that includes a taggant to generate a HWAM said HWAM being detectable on or emanating from the hands of a subject immediately or within a short period of time after a handwashing event utilizing said handwashing agent comprising said taggant;

(b) providing a detector comprising a sensor capable of detecting the HWAM and providing an indicator operably connected to the sensor; and

(c) communicating, using the indicator, when a HWAM is detected by the sensor.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of sensing the HWAM using the sensor, wherein said sensor is either worn by said subject or is located proximate to a handwashing station.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising at least one or more of the following steps or elements:

a. storing data regarding when a HWAM is detected by the sensor;

b. analyzing data relating to when a HWAM is detected by the sensor;

c. intervening based on an analysis of data relating to when a HWAM is or is not detected by the sensor;

d. providing an electronic clock to identify time associated with HWAM detection;

e. measuring the level of HWAM detected;

f. the handwashing agent is selected from the group consisting of;

alcohol-based hand rubs;

antimicrobial soaps;

antiseptic hand washes;

antiseptic hand rubs;

detergents;

soaps;

waterless antiseptic agents; and

surgical hand scrubs;

g. the taggant to generate the HWAM is selected from the group consisting of esters, carbonate esters, acetals, ketals, aliphatic higher alcohols, aromatic alcohols, thioalcohols, thiols, fatty acids, aliphatic higher aldehydes, aromatic aldehydes, ethers, thioethers, phenol ethers, ketones, phenols, lactones, terpens, aliphatic higher hydrocarbons, furfurals, indoles, amines, and isothiocyanate. Specific examples of the above chemical classes plus other potential taggants include;

dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetaldehyde, acetophenone, trans-Anethole (1-methoxy-4-propenyl benzene) (anise), benzaldehyde (benzoic aldehyde), benzyl alcohol, benzyl cinnamate, cadinene, camphene, camphor, cinnamaldehyde (3-phenylpropenal), garlic, citronellal, cresol, cyclohexane, eucalyptol, and eugenol, eugenyl methyl ether;

butyl isobutyrate (n-butyl 2, methyl propanoate) (pineapple);

citral (2-trans-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-actadiene-1-al);

menthol (1-methyl-4-isopropylcyclohexane-3-ol);

α

-Pinene (2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo-(3,1,1)-2-heptene);

sodium bisulfate, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, polyglycerol polyricinoleic acid, calcium casein peptone-calcium phosphate, botanicals (e.g., chrysanthemum;

licorice;

jellywort, honeysuckle;

lophatherum, mulberry leaf;

frangipani;

selfheal;

sophora flower bud), ferrous bisglycinate chelate, seaweed-derived calcium, DHASCO (docosahexaenoic acid-rich single-cell oil) and ARASCO (arachidonic acid-rich single-cell oil), fructooligosaccharide, trehalose, gamma cyclodextrin, phytosterol esters, gum arabic, potassium bisulfate, stearyl alcohol, erythritol, D-tagatose, and mycoprotein;

h. the sensor is selected from the group consisting of;

high electron mobility transistors (HEMT), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), polymer based membranes-chemoresistive (Cyranose);

polymer-surface acoustic wave (SAW) and electrochemical chemical array (Hazmatcad and Hazmatcad Plus);

spectroscopy-based analysis;

visible spectroscopy;

UV spectroscopy;

TIF TIFXP-1A Negative Corona Leak Detector;

negative ion capture sensors;

heated sensors/ceramic semiconductor sensors;

infrared absorption;

nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy;

photoemission spectroscopy;

Raman spectroscopy;

Fourier transform spectroscopy—

FTIR;

time-resolved spectroscopy;

flame spectroscopy;

plasma emission spectroscopy;

force spectroscopy;

dielectric spectroscopy;

circular dichroism spectroscopy;

refractory indices;

metal oxide sensors; and

sensors based on microcantilevers, molecularly imprinted polymers, and amplifying fluorescent polymers;

i. the sensor is an electronic nose;

j. the indicator comprises a computer processor in which visual, audible, and/or tactile results are provided;

k. the indicator further comprises a processing means;

l. the system further comprising a communications device;

m. the system further comprises an electronic clock;

n. the system further comprises a means for active HWAM detection;

o. the sensor is comprised within a stationary detector at a fixed location in relation to a handwashing station;

p. the taggant is a volatile or semi-volatile compound;

q. the indicator is in the form of a wearable or portable housing;

r. direct contact of the taggant with the sensor is not required;

s. at least one transmitter and at least one detector is utilized to document the time and date that a uniquely identified subject comes into proximity to a particular location, said system further documenting whether at the time of said proximity, the HWAM was detected by the system;

t. the HWAM is only generated following contact of said taggant with the skin of the subject;

u. the taggant to generate the HWAM is either a halogenated compound or a non-ordinary but non-radioactive isotope.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein at least one or a combination of the following additional elements applies:

a. the indicator is comprised within a badge worn by said subject;

b. the means for active HWAM detection is a suction pump that directs air flow to the sensor;

c. said at least one transmitter and said at least one detector discriminates between proximity of said subject which does not implicate contact and proximity of said subject which does implicate contact with another person, such that the detection of said HWAM is not required in the former instance and is required in the latter instance in order for said subject to be in compliance with handwashing requirements.

38. The method according to claim 34 wherein said sensor is comprised within a detector located at a particular location in relation to a handwashing station, and wherein at least one transmitter and at least one detector is utilized to document the time and date that a uniquely identified subject comes into proximity to a particular location, said system further documenting whether at the time of said proximity, the HWAM was detected by the system.

39. A method for monitoring hand hygiene by a subject, comprising:

(a) providing a handwashing agent that includes a taggant to generate a HWAM;

(b) providing a sensor capable of detecting the HWAM and providing an indicator operably connected to the sensor;

(c) providing a subject identifying device;

(d) communicating, using the indicator, a HWAM detection by the sensor; and

(e) attributing said HWAM detection to a subject by operation of the subject identifying device.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising measuring a level of HWAM when the HWAM is detected.