Infection control monitoring system

• US 20150077258A1
• Filed: 09/17/2013
• Published: 03/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Imaging and Engineering LLC
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Imaging and Engineering LLC
• Inventors: Nelson, William Bert, Nelson, Robert Sigurd, Nickele, Glenn Albert
• Granted Patent: US 10,482,753 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• 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 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The invention provides an automated hand hygiene/infection control monitoring sensor-based system suitable for improving hand hygiene and multiple infection control measures and ensuring compliance by health care workers as well as visitors to hospitals and clinics. The use of biometric identification devices such as cameras for face recognition and profiling, microphones for voice recognition, etc. permit highly accurate identification without the use of removable identification devices such as identification badges which may include bar codes, magnetic strips or wireless devices such as RFIDS. Identification badges are removable and hence susceptible to being lost, misplaced, etc. Visitors are typically not assigned identification badges and hence enforcement of hand hygiene policies is minimal. Additional applications include reducing food contamination in food industry, the spread of diseases in schools, in businesses, in corporations and governmental facilities and public access facilities such as public restrooms, dining areas and transportation.

Claims

1. An infection control monitoring system comprising:

at least one motion detector device,

at least one biometric identification device,

a display screen and a speaker,

at least one override device,

a dispenser, and

an electronic communications link to a computer for data post-processing, storage, verification and display.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein biometric identification devices include a camera for face recognition and profile, a microphone for voice recognition, a finger print or palm print biometric reader , an eye scanner, an infrared imager, a chemical sensor.

3. The system of claim 1 further including at least one non-biometric identification device including a wireless RFID reader, a badge reader or scanner.

4. The system of claim 1 further including a video recording device.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the dispenser includes at least one of a unit filled with disinfectant and/or soap, a unit with infection control materials, an UV treatment device, an inspection device.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the motion detector device includes at least one of an acoustic sensor, an electromagnetic sensor.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the override device includes at least one of a push button, a proximity sensor, a touch screen command, a virtual keyboard, a microphone.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is linked to a security system for purposes of tracking at least one of individuals, portable medical instruments.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is comprised of separate components that are electronically linked.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the system components are integrated into a single monitoring unit.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is integrated with other sensor devices.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein an insertion slot or portal is incorporated for cleaning portable medical instruments, including but not limited to, stethoscopes and flashlights.

12. A method for incentivizing employees and visitors to participate in a program for hand hygiene compliance comprising:

informing employees and visitors that they will be compensated for enrolling in and complying with the hand hygiene program,

registering the employees and visitors using the infection control monitoring system, verifying compliance with the infection control monitoring system,

having the infection control monitoring system notify appropriate hospital, commercial, or public-related services of successful compliance and eligibility for rewards.