Hand Washing Compliance Detection System

• US 20080303658A1
• Filed: 06/08/2007
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biovigil Hygiene Technologies LLC (BioVigil Healthcare Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Melker, Richard J., Batich, Christopher D., Dennis, Donn M., Gravenstein, Nikolaus
• Granted Patent: US 7,755,494 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• 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

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring use of hand washing agents to determine compliance with hand hygiene guidelines. A hand washing agent is provided with a detectable, volatile compound, such as odors, which is then rubbed onto a subject'"'"'s hands using the subject'"'"'s hand washing technique. After the hand washing event, the subject'"'"'s hand is then exposed to an detector (such as a badge), which includes a sensor capable of detecting the volatile compound, and an indicator that communicates detection of the volatile compound, indicating use of the hand washing agent and hand hygiene compliance.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring hand hygiene comprising:

a hand washing agent comprising a taggant; and

a detector comprising a sensor and an indicator operably connected to the sensor, wherein the sensor is capable of detecting the taggant.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the hand washing agent is selected from the group consisting of:

alcohol-based hand rubs;

antimicrobial soaps;

antiseptic hand washes;

antiseptic hand rubs;

detergents;

soaps;

waterless antiseptic agents; and

surgical hand scrubs.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the taggant is selected from the group consisting of:

dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetaldehyde, acetophenone, trans-Anethole (1-methoxy-4-propenyl benzene) (anise), benzaldehyde (benzoic aldehyde), benzyl alcohol, benzyl cinnamate, cadinene, camphene, camphor, cinnamaldehyde (3-phenylpropenal), garlic, citronellal, cresol, cyclohexane, eucalyptol, and eugenol, eugenyl methyl ether;

butyl isobutyrate (n-butyl 2, methyl propanoate) (pineapple);

citral (2-trans-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-actadiene-1-al);

menthol (1-methyl-4-isopropylcyclohexane-3-ol);

α

-Pinene (2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo-(3,1,1)-2-heptene);

sodium bisulfate, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, polyglycerol polyricinoleic acid, calcium casein peptone-calcium phosphate, botanicals (i.e., chrysanthemum;

licorice;

jellywort, honeysuckle;

lophatherum, mulberry leaf;

frangipani;

selfheal;

sophora flower bud), ferrous bisglycinate chelate, seaweed-derived calcium, DHASCO (docosahexaenoic acid-rich single-cell oil) and ARASCO (arachidonic acid-rich single-cell oil), fructooligosaccharide, trehalose, gamma cyclodextrin, phytosterol esters, gum arabic, potassium bisulfate, stearyl alcohol, erythritol, D-tagatose, and mycoprotein.

4. The system of claim 1, where the taggant is either a halogenated compound or an isotope.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the taggant is a volatile compound.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector is in the form of a wearable or portable housing.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the detector is a badge.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

high electron mobility transistors (HEMT), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), polymer based membranes—

chemoresistive (Cyranose);

polymer-surface acoustic wave (SAW) and electrochemical chemical array (Hazmatcad and Hazmatcad Plus);

spectroscopy-based analysis;

visible spectroscopy;

UV spectroscopy;

TIF TIFXP-1A Negative Corona Leak Detector;

negative ion capture sensors;

heated sensors/ceramic semiconductor sensors;

infrared absorption;

nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy;

photoemission spectroscopy;

Raman spectroscopy;

Fourier transform spectroscopy—

FTIR;

time-resolved spectroscopy;

flame spectroscopy;

plasma emission spectroscopy;

force spectroscopy;

dielectric spectroscopy;

circular dichroism spectroscopy;

refractory indices;

metal oxide sensors; and

sensors based on microcantilevers, molecularly imprinted polymers, and amplifying fluorescent polymers.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an electronic nose.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a computer processor in which visual, audible, and/or tactile results are provided.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator further comprises a processing means.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a communications device.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic clock.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means for active taggant detection.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for active taggant detection is a suction pump that directs air flow to the sensor.

16. A method for monitoring hand hygiene comprising:

(a) providing a hand washing agent that includes a taggant;

(b) providing a detector that comprises a sensor capable of detecting the taggant and an indicator operably connected to the sensor; and

(c) communicating, using the indicator, when a taggant is detected by the sensor.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of sensing the taggant using the sensor.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of storing data regarding when a taggant is detected by the sensor.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of analyzing the data.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of intervening based on the analyzed data.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of providing an electronic clock to identify time associated with taggant detection.