SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING A HAND HYGIENE COMPLIANCE SYSTEM TO IMPROVE WORKFLOW

• US 20130120120A1
• Filed: 01/09/2013
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Proventix Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Proventix Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Long, Avery Dallas, Nix, Harvey Allen, Johnson, Matthew A., Burtis, Romeo Maurice
• Granted Patent: US 9,305,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/01 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/47 using RFID associated with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A hand hygiene compliance (HHC) system that, in addition to monitoring hand hygiene, provides messaging and asset tracking capabilities to improve workflow amongst employees working at a facility. In one embodiment, the HHC system includes a control unit that is associated with a hand hygiene dispenser and programmed to enable use of a menu of icons each time the control unit detects use of the hand hygiene dispenser by as individual, wherein the icons allow the individual to, without limitation, communicate, enter, obtain, or update workflow information. More specifically, the menu of icons is displayed on a feedback device associated with the control unit, and users select icons by physically touching the feedback device. Alternatively, the control unit includes a gesture sense system which allows users to select one or more icons via touch-free gestures.

Claims

1. A method for improving workflow at a facility, the method comprising:

detecting use of a hand hygiene dispenser by a person, the hand hygiene dispenser associated with a control unit configured to detect a parameter indicating use of the dispenser;

enabling use of a menu of icons upon detecting use of the hand hygiene dispenser, the icons displayed on a feedback device associated with the control unit and representative of instructions a processor is programmed to execute in order to allow the person to communicate, enter, obtain, or update workflow information;

receiving a selection of one or more icons from the person, the selection representing workflow information; and

processing said received workflow information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the facility is a healthcare facility.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of detecting use of the dispenser includes detecting a healthcare provider role assigned to a wearable tag worn by the person.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the control unit conditions use of the menu of icons based on the healthcare provider role assigned to the tag.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to process touch-free gestures made by the person to select one or more icons.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein processing of touch-free gestures is performed by a gesture sense system.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the gesture sense system includes a plurality of transmitters, a receiver, and a controller.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein touch-free gestures are selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a right swipe;

(b) a left swipe;

(c) an enter gesture; and

(d) a hover gesture.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit processes workflow information over a communications network to one or more devices based on the selection made by the person.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein a server in communication with the control unit processes workflow information over a communications network to one or more devices based on the selection made by the person.

11. A control unit associated with a hand hygiene compliance system, the control unit comprising:

a sensor to detect use of a hand hygiene dispenser by a person, wherein the dispenser is associated with the control unit;

a feedback device configured to display a menu of icons in response to the sensor detecting use of the dispenser, the menu of icons representative of instructions a processor is programmed to perform in order to allow the person to communicate, enter, obtain, or update workflow information;

a gesture sense system configured to process one or more touch-free gestures for selecting one or more icons, the selection representing workflow information;

a processor configured to process workflow information based on the selection; and

a communications device operable to communicate with a communications network associated with the hand hygiene compliance system.

12. The control unit of claim 11, wherein the control unit includes a second communications device operable to receive communications from a wearable tag worn by the person.

13. The control unit of claim 11, wherein, upon receiving a communication from the wearable tag, the control unit identifies a healthcare provider role assigned to the tag.

14. The control unit of claim 13, wherein the control unit conditions use of the menu based on the healthcare provider role assigned to a tag worn by a person.

15. The control unit of claim 11, wherein the gesture sense system comprises:

a first transmitter and a second transmitter, wherein, in response to the sensor detecting use of the dispenser, the first and second transmitter are activated to transmit a light signal over a predetermined area;

a receiver positioned between the first transmitter and the second transmitter, the receiver configured to detect a plurality of first reflectance measurements by measuring an amplitude of light reflected from an object relative to the first transmitter, and a plurality of second reflectance measurements by measuring an amplitude of light reflected from the object relative to the second transmitter, wherein each first reflectance measurement and each second reflectance measurement correspond to a different point in time; and

a controller in communication with the receiver, the controller configured to compare the plurality of first and second reflectance measurements to identify a plurality of ratio values between the first reflectance measurements and the second reflectance measurements, and from the plurality of ratio values, determine at least one of a position and a direction of movement of the object relative to the first and second transmitter.

16. The control unit of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to match touch-free gestures made by a person within the predetermined area to one of a plurality of predefined touch-free gestures.

17. The control unit of claim 15, wherein the receiver is an ambient light sensor operable to measure ambient light levels in a room or area in which the control unit is located.

18. The control unit of claim 17, wherein the controller compares ambient light level measurements against a predetermined value and, based upon said comparison, communicates commands to a graphics processor associated with the control unit to control backlight intensity of the feedback device.