Systems And Methods For Encouraging Hand Washing Compliance

• US 20160328948A1
• Filed: 05/06/2016
• Published: 11/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UAB Research Foundation (University of Alabama System)
• Original Assignee: UAB Research Foundation (University of Alabama System)
• Inventors: Ferniany, William
• Granted Patent: US 9,940,819 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/62 Arrangements for supporting spraying apparatus, e.g. suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands

Abstract

In some embodiments, a hand washing compliance system includes a primary soap dispenser adapted to be located near an entrance to a room, the primary soap dispenser comprising a motion sensor configured to detect passage of an individual through the room entrance, a soap dispensation sensor configured to detect dispensation of soap from the primary soap dispenser, and a communication device configured to enable communication with other soap dispensers, and a secondary soap dispenser adapted to be located inside of the room, the secondary soap dispenser comprising a soap dispensation sensor configured to detect dispensation of soap from the secondary soap dispenser, a communication device configured to enable communication with other soap dispensers, and a warning indicator configured to generate an alert that encourages individuals entering the room to wash their hands.

Claims

1. A hand washing compliance system comprising:

a primary soap dispenser adapted to be located near an entrance to a room, the primary soap dispenser comprising a motion sensor configured to detect passage of an individual through the room entrance, a soap dispensation sensor configured to detect dispensation of soap from the primary soap dispenser, and a communication device configured to enable communication with other soap dispensers; and

a secondary soap dispenser adapted to be located inside of the room, the secondary soap dispenser comprising a soap dispensation sensor configured to detect dispensation of soap from the secondary soap dispenser, a communication device configured to enable communication with other soap dispensers, and a warning indicator configured to generate an alert that encourages individuals entering the room to wash their hands.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary soap dispenser is configured to determine whether or not an individual who entered the room washed his or her hands immediately prior to entry.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the primary soap dispenser determines whether or not the individual washed his or her hands immediately prior to entry by determining whether or not soap was dispensed from the primary soap dispenser within a predetermined time period prior to the primary soap dispenser detecting passage of the individual through the room entrance.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the primary soap is further configured to transmit a command to the secondary soap dispenser to generate a first alert if the individual did not wash his or her hands immediately prior to entry and no communication indicative of soap dispensation is received from the secondary soap dispenser within a first compliance time period initiated after detecting passage of the individual through the room entrance.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the secondary soap dispenser comprises a light and wherein the secondary soap dispenser is configured to activate a visual alert with the light in response to receiving the command to generate a first alert.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the primary soap dispenser is further configured to transmit a command to the secondary soap dispenser to generate a second alert if no communication indicative of soap dispensation is received from the secondary soap dispenser within a second compliance time period initiated after transmission of the command to generate a first alert.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the secondary soap dispenser comprises a speaker and wherein the secondary soap dispenser is configured to activate an audible alert with the speaker in response to receiving the command to generate a second alert.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary soap dispenser comprises two motion sensors that enable the primary soap dispenser to distinguish between room entry and room exit.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication devices comprise wireless transceivers that enable the soap dispensers to wirelessly communicate with each other.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes multiple secondary soap dispensers adapted to be located inside of the room, each secondary soap dispenser comprising a soap dispensation sensor configured to detect dispensation of soap from the secondary soap dispenser, a communication device configured to enable communication with other soap dispensers, and a warning indicator configured to generate an alert that encourages individual entering the room to wash their hands.

11. A method for encouraging hand washing compliance, the method comprising:

detecting an individual entering a room;

determining if the individual washed his or her hands immediately prior to entering the room; and

initiating a first timer to provide the individual with a first compliance time period with which to wash his or hands if the individual did not wash his or her hands immediately prior to entering the room.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the detecting comprises a primary soap dispenser located near the entrance to the room detecting passage of the individual through the entrance with a motion detector.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein determining comprises the primary soap dispenser using a soap dispensation sensor to detect if soap was dispensed from the primary soap dispenser within a predetermined time period prior to the detected passage.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising activating a first alert if the individual does not wash his or her hands within the room after the expiration of the first compliance time period.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein activating a first alert comprises a secondary soap dispenser within the room activating a visual alert, the secondary soap dispenser also comprising a soap dispensation sensor.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising initiating a second timer to provide the individual with a second compliance time period with which to wash his or hands if the individual did not wash his or her hands during the first compliance time period.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising activating a second alert if the individual does not wash his or her hands within the room after the expiration of the second compliance time period.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein activating a second alert comprises the secondary soap dispenser activating an audible indicator.