Systems and methods for using a hand hygiene compliance system to improve workflow

• US 9,305,191 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2013
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• 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, Burtis, Romeo Maurice, Johnson, Matthew A
• Primary Examiner(s): Backer, Firmin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilson, Brian
• Application Number:
  US13/736,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20130120120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,182 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 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 hand hygiene 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 hand hygiene dispenser, the menu of icons representative of instructions a processor is programmed to execute in order to allow the person to enter or update patient care information;

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

a gesture sense system configured to process one or more touch-free gestures made by the person in order to communicate a selection of one or more icons on the menu of icons, wherein the selection of one or more icons represents the patient care information, and the gesture sense system further includes;

a first transmitter and a second transmitter, wherein, in response to the sensor detecting use of the hand hygiene 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 the person'"'"'s hand relative to the first transmitter, and a plurality of second reflectance measurements by measuring an amplitude of light reflected from the person'"'"'s hand relative to the second transmitter, wherein each of the first reflectance measurements and each of the second reflectance measurements 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 person'"'"'s hand relative to the first and second transmitter.

2. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to match the one or more touch-free gestures made by the person within the predetermined area to one of a plurality of pre-defined touch-free gestures.

3. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the receiver is an ambient light sensor operable to measure an ambient light level in a room or area in which the control unit is located.

4. The control unit of claim 3, wherein the controller compares the ambient light level of the room or area against a predetermined value and, based upon said comparison, communicates commands to a graphics processor associated with the control unit to adjust luminous intensity of a backlight for the feedback device.