Method and apparatus for detecting and identifying device utilization

• US 8,558,660 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2009
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Proventix Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Proventix Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Cooper, Lloyd Guyton Bowers, Walker, Don Byron II, Thomson, Andrew Joseph, Nix, Harvey A., Eighmy, Eugene Arnold
• Primary Examiner(s): Ghayour, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON, BRIAN P
• Application Number:
  US12/619,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20100123560A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,428 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/5.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/47 using RFID associated with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• 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 system and method for detecting the presence of a device user, managing a detection system in a predominantly low power state, ensuring data integrity and limiting the amount of user interaction required to identify users and detect device utilization includes a distinct user tag or badge including an active or passive RFID transceiver and one or more readers and routers in a network.

Claims

1. A system for detecting the use of a monitored hand hygiene device, the system comprising:

an exit/entry detector for detecting an individual entering a room, the exit/entry detector incorporating a transmitter for transmitting a first range limited signal over a limited area upon detecting the individual entering the room;

a tag wearable by an individual operable in a low power sleep mode and in an active mode, the tag including a receiver configured to receive the first range limited signal or a second range limited signal in a sleep mode and switch to an active mode in response thereto to transmit a signal with a transmitter wherein the signal includes at least an identification code from which a health care provider role of the individual associated with the tag may be determined;

a control unit including a sensor for detecting a parameter indicating use of the monitored hand hygiene device, the control unit incorporating a receiver and a transmitter for transmitting the second range limited signal upon detecting the parameter indicating use of the monitored hand hygiene device whereby the tag is activated by the transmitted second range limited signal from the control unit to transmit the signal to the receiver with its associated transmitter wherein the signal includes at least the identification code;

a feedback device in proximity to the monitored hand hygiene device, the feedback device providing the individual using the monitored hand hygiene device with health condition information specific to health conditions for which a patient in the room is being treated and to the health care provider role associated with the tag of the individual wherein the health condition information is provided upon the control unit receiving the signal transmitted from the tag in response to the tag receiving the second range limited signal; and

a network including a server, the server operable to receive information from at least the tag.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the exit/entry detector comprises one of a reflective infrared detector, an overhead infrared detector, a vibration sensor or a contact switch.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal transmitted by the tag further includes an identity of the exit/entry detector and a time stamp.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitored hand hygiene device comprises a hand cleansing station and wherein the sensor for detecting the parameter indicating use of the monitored hand hygiene device detects the individual'"'"'s hand within a pre-determined area adjacent the hand cleansing station.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the network is configured to translate information received from the tag to TCP/IP format.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor for detecting the parameter indicating use of the monitored hand hygiene device comprises one of a capacitive-sensing sensor, an infrared detector, a vibration sensor, an electro-mechanical contact switch, or a pressure sensor, the sensor detecting the individual'"'"'s hand at or within a predetermined area adjacent the monitored hand hygiene device.

7. A system for detecting the use of a monitored hand hygiene device in a room or area, the system comprising:

a tag wearable by an individual operable in a low power mode to receive a first illumination signal and operable in an active mode upon receiving the first illumination signal to transmit an identification signal identifying the tag and wherein the identification signal includes an identification code from which a health care provider role of the individual associated with the tag may be determined;

a control unit associated with the monitored hand hygiene device, the control unit including a receiver and a transmitter for transmitting the first illumination signal, wherein the control unit is connected to a sensor operable to detect a parameter indicating use of the monitored hand hygiene device, the control unit transmitting the first illumination signal over a limited, predetermined area upon detection of the parameter indicating use of the monitored hand hygiene device whereby the tag is activated to transmit the identification signal to the receiver;

a network operable to receive information from one or more of an exit/entry detector, the control unit or the tag, the network configured to translate information received from the tag to TCP/IP format, the network further including a server configured to receive and store the translated information; and

a feedback device in proximity to the monitored hand hygiene device, the feedback device presenting the individual using the monitored hand hygiene device with health condition information specific to health conditions for which a patient in the room is being treated and to the health care provider role associated with the tag of the individual wherein the health condition information is presented upon the control unit receiving the identification signal transmitted from the tag in response to the tag receiving the first illumination signal.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the monitored hand hygiene device comprises one of a hand washing or cleansing station in a health care facility.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the sensor for detecting the parameter indicating use of the monitored hand hygiene device comprises one of a capacitive-sensing sensor, an infrared detector, a vibration sensor, an electro-mechanical contact switch, or a pressure sensor, the sensor detecting the individual'"'"'s hand at or within a predetermined area adjacent to the monitored hand hygiene device.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the feedback device is one of a visual display, an audio/visual display or an audio device.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the identification signal comprises a data packet further including one or more of an exit/entry detector identity or a control unit identity.

12. A method for detecting the use of a monitored hand hygiene device, the method comprising:

sensing an illumination signal transmitted from an entry/exit unit associated with a room or area where the monitored hand hygiene device is located with a wearable tag operable in a low power mode to receive the illumination signal, the tag incorporating a transmitter for transmitting an identification code from which a health care provider role of an individual associated with the tag may be determined;

transmitting an identification signal from the tag, wherein the tag is operable in an active mode upon receiving the illumination signal or a range limited signal to transmit the identification signal including the identification code;

detecting a parameter indicating use of the monitored hand hygiene device with a control unit including a sensor for detecting the parameter and an associated transmitter for transmitting the range limited signal;

transmitting the range limited signal over a limited, predetermined area with the control unit upon detecting the parameter indicating use of the monitored hand hygiene device whereby the tag is activated to transmit the identification signal to a receiver of the control unit;

receiving identification signals transmitted from the tag with a network and storing information associated with the identification signals with a server connected to the network; and

presenting the individual using the monitored hand hygiene device with health condition information specific to health conditions for which a patient in the room or area is being treated and to the health care provider role associated with the tag of the individual by displaying the health condition information on a feedback device associated with the monitored hand hygiene device wherein the health condition information is presented upon the control unit receiving the identification signal transmitted from the tag in response to the tag receiving the range limited signal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the feedback device is one of a visual device, an audio/visual device or an audio device.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the parameter indicating use of the monitored hand hygiene device is one of proximity of the individual, vibration of the monitored hand hygiene device or movement of a component of the monitored hand hygiene device.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the illumination signals transmitted by the entry/exit unit, the range limited signals transmitted by the control unit or the identification signals transmitted by the tag are received by the network and translated to TCP/IP format for storage in the server.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the signals received from one or more of the entry/exit unit, the control unit or the tag are transmitted to the server via one of a wired Ethernet data connection, a wireless Ethernet data connection or a cellular connection.

17. A method of promoting use of a hand hygiene system in a health care facility, the method comprising:

storing in a database information specific to health conditions for which individual patients in the health care facility are being treated and wherein the information is further specified according to a role of a health care provider;

identifying an individual, including the individual'"'"'s health care provider role, within a selected proximity of a monitored hand hygiene unit in a room in which one of the individual patients is resident;

retrieving from said database information selected based upon the health care provider role of the individual and the health condition for which the resident patient is being treated;

displaying the selected information on a feedback device associated with the monitored hand hygiene unit upon said individual'"'"'s use of the monitored hand hygiene unit.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said identification step comprises reading a wearable tag on said individual using the monitored hand hygiene unit, said tag comprising an identification code for which the health care provider role of the individual associated with said tag may be determined.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said feedback device comprises a graphical display.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the selected information is displayed for a predetermined time period based upon the identity of said identified individual using the hand hygiene unit.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the health care provider role is selected from the group consisting of:

physician, physician specialty, nurse, therapist.