Hygiene monitoring system

• US 6,727,818 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2000
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Wildman, Timothy D., Hausman, Phill, Gallant, Dennis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US09/699,796
• Time in Patent Office: 1,275 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/286.09, 340/825.54, 340/541, 340/567, 340/572.1, 340/505, 340/603, 340/540, 340/825.06
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2005/1218 Table mounted; Dispensers integrated with the mixing tap
• 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 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/80 for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics, e.g. flu
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

A method of monitoring hygiene compliance is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving first location information which tracks movement and handwashing information, determining whether a person who has entered a patient contact zone has washed her hands since her most recent exposure to a contamination zone, and updating compliance information for the person based upon the determining step.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring hygiene compliance, comprising the steps of:

receiving first location information which tracks movement of a person through a facility and handwashing information associated with attempts by the person to wash her hands;

determining, based upon the first location information and the handwashing information received during the receiving step, whether a person who has entered a patient contact zone has washed her hands since her most recent exposure to a contamination zone other than her current exposure to the patient contact zone; and

updating compliance information for the person based upon the determining step.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the updating step comprises the step of recording a hygiene compliance record for the person if the determining step determines that the person washed her hands since her most recent exposure to a contamination zone other than her current exposure to the patient contact zone.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the updating step comprises the step of recording a handwashing non-compliance record for the person if the determining step determines that the person did not wash her hands since her most recent exposure to a contamination zone other than her current exposure to the patient contact zone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step occurs in response to the person entering the patient contact zone.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining whether the person remains in the patient contact zone for at least a preset amount of time after entering the patient contact zone, wherein

the updating step is further based upon the step of determining whether the person remains in the patient contact zone for at least the preset amount of time after entering the patient contact zone.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining whether a person has utilized a piece of equipment, wherein

the updating step is further based upon the step of determining whether the person has utilized the piece of equipment.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of receiving second location information which tracks movement of a piece of equipment through the facility;

and determining whether the person has utilized the piece of equipment based upon the first location information received for the person and the second location received for the piece of equipment, wherein

the updating step is further based upon the step of determining whether the person has utilized the piece of equipment.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of receiving usage information which tracks usage of a piece of equipment in the facility, and determining whether the person has utilized the piece of equipment based upon the first location information received for the person and the usage information received for the piece of equipment, wherein

the updating step is further based upon the step of determining whether the person has utilized the piece of equipment.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether a preset time period has passed since location of the person was last detected, and

updating status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the time-determining step determines that the preset time period has passed since location of the person was last detected.

10. The method of claim 1, further including the step of storing the compliance information.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location information includes at least two locations visited by the person.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location information includes information identifying the person.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the information identifying the person includes a unique identifier associated with the person.

14. The method of claim 1, further including the step of using the first location information to electronically search for the person within the facility.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location information and compliance information arc received by sensors that are in substantially constant communication with a master station.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the master station is operable to use the first location information to determine a present location of a selected person within the facility.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the master station is operable to use the first location information to determine the present location of a selected piece of equipment within the facility.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the master station is operable to use the first location information to determine the sequential past locations of a selected person and piece or equipment that has been in the facility.

19. A method of monitoring hygiene compliance, comprising the steps of:

determining whether a person has been exposed to a first contamination zone longer than a first exposure time associated with the first contamination zone, a contamination zone being an area identified as likely to contaminate anything located therein; and

updating status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated in response to the determining step determining that the person has been exposed to the first contamination zone longer than the first exposure time associated with the first contamination zone.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether a person who has been contaminated due to exposure to the first contamination zone has left the first contamination zone;

determining whether the person has washed her hands within a first trigger time since leaving the contamination zone, and

updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person has committed a handwashing infraction if the person who has been contaminated due to exposure to the first contamination zone has left the first contamination zone and the person has not washed her hands within the first trigger time since leaving the first contamination zone.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of

determining whether a person who has been contaminated due to exposure to the first contamination zone has left the first contamination zone;

determining whether the person has washed her hands within a first trigger time since leaving the contamination zone, and

if the person who has been contaminated due to exposure to the first contamination zone has left the first contamination zone and the person has not washed her hands within the first trigger time since leaving the first contamination zone, updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person has committed a handwashing infraction by increasing an infraction level associated with the person.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

providing the person with an indication of the infraction level associated with the person.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether a person who has been contaminated due to exposure to the first contamination zone has left the first contamination zone;

determining whether the person has washed her hands within a first trigger time since leaving the first contamination zone; and

updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if the person who has been contaminated due to exposure to the first contamination zone has left the first contamination zone and the person has washed her hands within the first trigger time since leaving the first contamination zone.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of updating the infraction information by resetting an infraction level associated with the person.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the person has entered the first contamination zone while the person was contaminated;

determining whether the person has washed her hands within an entry time of entering the first contamination zone, and

updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person has committed a handwashing infraction if the person has entered the first contamination zone while the person was contaminated and the person has not washed her hands within the entry time of entering the first contamination zone.

26. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the person has entered the first contamination zone while the person was contaminated;

determining whether the person has washed her hands within an entry time of entering the first contamination zone; and

updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if the person has entered the first contamination zone while the person was contaminated and the person has washed her hands within the entry time of entering the first contamination zone.

27. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the person has washed her hands in the first contamination zone; and

updating status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if, after washing her hands, the person remains in the first contamination zone longer than an exit time associated with the first contamination zone.

28. The system of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the person has washed her hands in the first contamination zone; and

updating status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if, after washing her hands, the person remains in the first contamination zone less than an exit time associated with the first contamination zone.

29. The system of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the person has washed her hands in the first contamination zone; and

updating status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if, after washing her hands, the person remains in the first contamination zone longer than the exposure time associated with the first contamination zone but less than an exit time associated with the first contamination zone.

30. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if a preset time period has passed since the person has washed her hands.

31. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if a preset time period has passed since location of the person was last detected.

32. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the person has been exposed to a second contamination zone longer than a second exposure time associated with the second contamination zone, the second exposure time being different than first exposure time.

33. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated in response to the person being exposed to a high risk contamination zone.

34. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated in response to determining that the person has utilized a monitored piece of equipment.

35. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

receiving second location information which tracks movement of a piece of equipment through the facility;

determining whether the person has utilized the piece of equipment based upon the first location information received for the person and the second location received for the piece of equipment; and

updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated in response to determining that the person has utilized the piece of equipment.

36. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

receiving usage information which tracks usage of a piece of equipment in the facility;

determining whether the person has utilized the piece of equipment based upon the first location information received for the person and the usage information received for the piece of equipment, wherein

updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated in response to determining that the person has utilized the piece of equipment.

37. A method of monitoring hygiene compliance, comprising the steps of:

determining whether a person who has been contaminated due to exposure to a contamination zone has left the contamination zone;

determining whether the person has washed her hands within a trigger time since leaving the contamination zone; and

updating status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if the person who has been contaminated due to exposure to the contamination zone has left the contamination zone and the person has washed her hands within the trigger time since leaving the contamination zone.

38. A method of monitoring hygiene compliance, comprising the steps of:

determining a period of time the person has remained in a contamination zone after washing her hands in the contamination zone; and

updating status information associated with the person based upon the period of time the person remained in the contamination zone after washing her hands.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the updating step comprises the step of updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if the period of time that the person remained in the contamination zone after washing her hands was less than an exit time associated with the contamination zone.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the updating step comprises the step of updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if the period of time that the person remained in the contamination zone after washing her hands was greater than an exit time associated with the contamination zone but less than an exposure time associated with the contamination zone.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the updating step comprises the step of updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if the period of timer that the person remained in the contamination zone after washing her hands was less than an exit time associated with the contamination zone but greater than an exposure time associated with the contamination zone.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the updating step comprises the step of updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the period of time that the person remained in the contamination zone after washing her hands was greater than an exit time associated with the contamination zone and was greater than an exposure time associated with the contamination zone.

43. A system for monitoring hygiene compliance, comprising

a master station;

a plurality of first sensors operable to track movement of a person through a facility, and provide the master station with location information associated with the movement of the person; and

a plurality of second sensors operable to provide the master station with handwashing information associated with attempts by the person to wash her hands,

wherein the master station is operable to

determine based upon the location information whether the person has entered a patient contact zone,

determine based upon the location information and the handwashing information, whether the person washed her hands since her most recent exposure to a contamination zone other than her current exposure to the patient contact zone, and

update compliance information for the person based upon whether the person has entered a patient contact zone and whether the person washed her hands since her most recent exposure to a contamination zone other than her current exposure to the patient contact zone.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the master station is further operable to record a hygiene compliance record for the person in response to determining that the person washed her hands since her most recent exposure to a contamination zone other than her current exposure to the patient contact zone.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the master station is further operable to record a handwashing non-compliance record for the person in response to determining that the person did not wash her hands since her most recent exposure to a contamination zone other than her current exposure to the patient contact zone.

46. The system of claim 43, wherein, in response to determining that the person has entered the patient contact zone, the master station determines whether the person washed her hands since her most recent exposure to a contamination zone other than her current exposure to the patient contact zone.

47. The system of claim 43, wherein, in response to determining that the person has remained in the patient contact zone for at least a preset amount of time, the master station determines whether the person successfully washed her hands since her most recent exposure to a contamination zone other than her current exposure to the patient contact zone.

48. The system of claim 43, wherein the master station is further operable to update the compliance information for the person based upon whether the person has utilized a monitored piece of equipment.

49. The system of claim 43, wherein

the plurality of first sensors are further operable to track movement of a piece of equipment through facility, and provide the master station with location information associated with the movement of the piece of equipment through the facility, and

the master station is further operable to determine whether the person has utilized the piece of equipment based upon the location information received for the person and the location received for the piece of equipment, and update the compliance information for the person based upon whether the person has utilized the piece of equipment.

50. The system of claim 43, further comprising a usage sensor operable to provide the master station with usage information associated with a piece of equipment, wherein

the master station is further operable to determine whether the person has utilized the piece of equipment based upon the usage information received for the piece of equipment, and update the compliance information for the person based upon whether the person has utilized the piece of equipment.

51. The system of claim 43, wherein the master station further supports a graphical user interface For viewing the compliance information for the person and configuring operation of the master station.

52. The system of claim 43, wherein the updated compliance information is stored.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the updated compliance information is stored in the master station.

54. The system of claim 43, wherein the plurality of first sensors communicate with the master station to create a history of the movement of the person including a plurality of locations that the person has visited.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the history of the movement of the person includes a time and a date associated with each location was visited by the person.

56. The system of claim 43, wherein the first sensors detect the identity of the person.

57. The system of claim 43, wherein the master station is operable to use the location information to electronically search for the person within the facility.

58. The system of claim 43, wherein the master station is operable to use the location information to determine a present location of a selected piece of equipment within the facility.

59. The system of claim 43, wherein the master station is operable to use the location information to determine the sequential past locations of a selected person and piece of equipment that has been in the facility.

60. A system for monitoring hygiene compliance, comprising

a master station;

a plurality of first sensors operable to track movement of a person through a facility, and provide the master station with location information associated with the movement of the person; and

a plurality of second sensors operable to provide the master station with handwashing information associated with attempts by the person to wash her hands,

wherein the master station is operable to

determine based upon the location information whether the person has been exposed to a first contamination zone longer than a first exposure time associated with the first contamination zone, and

update status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the person has been exposed to the first contamination zone longer than the first exposure time associated with the first contamination zone.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the master station is further operable to

update the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the person has been exposed to a second contamination zone longer than a second exposure time associated with the second contamination zone, the second exposure time being different than the first exposure time.

62. The system of claim 60, wherein the master station is further operable to

update the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the person has been exposed to a high risk contamination zone.

63. The system of claim 60, wherein the master station is further operable to

determine whether a person who has been contaminated due to exposure to the first contamination zone has left the first contamination zone;

determine whether the person has washed her hands within a first trigger time since leaving the first contamination zone; and

updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if the master station determines that the person who has been contaminated due to exposure to the first contamination zone has left the first contamination zone and the person has washed her hands within the first trigger time since leaving the first contamination zone.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein the master station is further operable to update the status information by increasing an infraction level associated with the person.

65. The system of claim 63, wherein the master station is further operable to cause an indication of the infraction level to be provided to the person.

66. The system of claim 60, wherein the master station is further operable to

determine whether a person who has been contaminated due to exposure to the first contamination zone has left the first contamination zone;

determine whether the person has washed her hands within a first trigger time since leaving the first contamination zone; and

updating the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the master station determines that the person who has been contaminated due to exposure to the first contamination zone has left the first contamination zone and the person has not washed her hands within the first trigger time since leaving the first contamination zone.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the master station is further operable to update the infraction information by resetting an infraction level associated with the person if the master station determines that the person has washed her hands within the first trigger time.

68. The system of claim 60, wherein the master station is further operable to

determine whether the person has entered the first contamination zone while the person was contaminated;

determine whether the person has washed her hands within an entry time of entering the first contamination zone; and

update the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person has committed a handwashing infraction if the master station determines that the person has entered the first contamination zone while the person was contaminated and the person has not washed her hands within the entry time of entering the first contamination zone.

69. The system of claim 60, wherein the master station is further operable to

determine whether the person has entered the first contamination zone while the person was contaminated;

determine whether the person has washed her hands within an entry time of entering the first contamination zone; and

update the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person has committed a handwashing infraction if the master station determines that the person has entered the first contamination zone while the person was contaminated and the person has not washed her hands within the entry time of entering the first contamination zone.

70. The system of claim 60, wherein the master station is farther operable to

determine whether the person has washed her hands in the first contamination zone;

and

update the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the master station determines that, after washing her hands, the person has remained in the first contamination zone longer than an exit time associated with the first contamination zone.

71. The system of claim 60, wherein the master station is further operable to

determine whether the person has washed her hands in the first contamination zone;

and

update the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if the master station determines that, after washing her hands, the person has remained in the first contamination zone less than an exit time associated with the first contamination zone.

72. The system of claim 60, wherein the master station is further operable to

determine whether the person has washed her hands in the first contamination zone;

and

update the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if the master station determines that, after washing her hands, the person has remained in the first contamination zone longer than the exposure time associated with the first contamination zone but less than an exit time associated with the first contamination zone.

73. The system of claim 60, wherein the master station is further operable to update the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the master station determines that a preset time period has passed since the person has washed her hands.

74. The system of claim 60, wherein the master station is further operable to update the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the master station determines that a preset time period has passed since location of the person was last detected.

75. The system of claim 60, wherein

the plurality of first sensors are further operable to track movement of a piece of equipment through facility, and provide the master station with location information associated with the movement of the piece of equipment through the facility, and

the master station is further operable to determine whether the person has utilized the piece of equipment based upon the location information received for the person and the location received for the piece of equipment, and update status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the master station determines that the person has utilized the piece of equipment.

76. The system of claim 60, further comprising a usage sensor operable to provide the master station with usage information associated with a piece of equipment, wherein

the master station is further operable to determine whether the person has utilized the piece of equipment based upon the usage information received for the piece of equipment, and update status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the master station determines that the person has utilized the piece of equipment.

77. A system for monitoring hygiene compliance, comprising

a master station;

a plurality of first sensors operable to track movement of a person through a facility, and provide the master station with location information associated with the movement of the person; and

a plurality of second sensors operable to provide the master station with handwashing information associated with attempts by the person to wash tier hands,

wherein the master station is operable to

determine based upon the location information whether a person who has been contaminated due to exposure to a contamination zone has left the contamination zone,

determine based upon the location information and the handwashing information whether the person has washed her hands within a trigger time since leaving the contamination zone, and

update status information associated with the person to indicate that the person has committed a handwashing infraction if the master station determines that the person who has been contaminated due to exposure to the contamination zone has left the contamination zone and the person has not washed her hands within the trigger time since leaving the contamination zone.

78. A system for monitoring hygiene compliance, comprising

a master station;

a plurality of first sensors operable to track movement of a person through a facility, and provide the master station with location information associated with the movement of the person; and

a plurality of second sensors operable to provide the master station with handwashing information associated with attempts by the person to wash her hands,

wherein the master station is operable to

determine based upon the location information whether a preset time period has passed since location of the person was last detected; and

update status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the master station determines that the preset time period has passed since location of the person was last detected.

79. A system for monitoring hygiene compliance, comprising

a master station;

a plurality of first sensors, which in combination, are operable to track movement of a person through a facility, and provide the master station with location information associated with the movement of the person; and

a plurality of second sensors operable to provide the master station with handwashing information associated with attempts by the person to wash her hands,

wherein the master station is operable to

determine a period of time the person has remained in a contamination zone after washing her hands in the contamination zone; and

update status information associated with the person based upon the period of time the person has remained in the contamination zone after washing her hands.

80. The system of claim 79, wherein the master station is further operable to update the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if the master station determines that the period of time the person has remained in the contamination zone after washing her hands is less than an exit time associated with the contamination zone.

81. The system of claim 79, wherein the master station is further operable to update the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if the master station determines that the period of time the person has remained in the contamination zone after washing her hands is greater than an exit time associated with the contamination zone but is less than an exposure time associated with the contamination zone.

82. The system of claim 79, wherein the master station is further operable to update the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is compliant if the master station determines that the period of time the person has remained in the contamination zone after washing her hands is less than an exit time associated with the contamination zone but is greater than an exposure time associated with the contamination zone.

83. The system of claim 79, wherein the master station is further operable to update the status information associated with the person to indicate that the person is contaminated if the master station determines that the period of time the person has remained in the contamination zone after washing her hands is greater than an exit time associated with the contamination zone and is greater than an exposure time associated with the contamination zone.

84. A system for monitoring hygiene compliance, comprising

a master station;

a plurality of first sensors operable to track movement of a person through a facility, track movement of equipment through the facility, and provide the master station with first location information associated with the movement of the person and second location information associated with the movement of the equipment; and

a plurality of second sensors operable to provide the master station with cleaning information, wherein the master station is operable to update hygiene compliancy information based upon the first location information, the second location information, and the cleaning information.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of second sensors are operable to provide the master station with information concerning whether an attempt has been made to clean the equipment.

86. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of second sensors are operable to provide the master station with information concerning whether the person has made an attempt to wash her hands.

87. The system of claim 84, further comprising a plurality of badges, each badge of said plurality of badges operable to provide said plurality of first sensors with identification information identifying the person wearing the badge, wherein

the plurality of first sensors arm further operable to provide the master station with the identification information received from the badges, and

the master station is further operable to update the hygiene compliancy information based upon the received identification information.

88. The system of claim 84, further comprising a plurality of equipment badges, each equipment badge of said plurality of equipment badges operable to provide said plurality of first sensors with identification information identifying the equipment associated with the equipment badge, wherein

the plurality of first sensors are further operable to provide the master station with the identification information received from the equipment badges, and

the master station is further operable to update the hygiene compliancy information based upon the received identification information.

89. The system of claim 84, further comprising a plurality of usage sensors, each usage sensor operable to provide said master station with usage information for the equipment associated with the usage sensor, wherein

the plurality of first sensors arm further operable to provide the master station with the identification information received from the equipment badges, and

the master station is further operable to update the hygiene compliancy information based upon the received usage information.

90. A method for monitoring hygiene compliance, comprising receiving first location information associated with movement of patients through a facility;

receiving second location information associated with movement of pieces of equipment through a facility;

receiving cleaning information associated with attempts to clean the pieces of equipment; and

updating hygiene compliancy information based upon the first location information, the second location information, and the cleaning information.

91. The method of claim 90, further comprising the steps of

determining based upon the first location information and the second location information whether a piece of equipment is contaminated due to exposure to a patient, and

updating status information for the equipment to indicate that the equipment is contaminated if the determining stop determines that the equipment is contaminated due to exposure to a patient.

92. The method of claim 90, further comprising the steps of

determining based upon the first location information and the second location information whether a first patient has been exposed to the equipment;

and

determining based upon the first location information, the second location information and the cleaning information whether the equipment is contaminated due to exposure to a second patient, wherein

the updating step updates the hygienc compliancy information to indicate that an infraction has occurred if the first patient was exposed to the equipment while the equipment was still contaminated due to exposure to the second patient.

93. The method of claim 90, further comprising the steps of

determining based upon the second location information, whether the equipment has been moved to a new location;

determining based upon the first location information the second location information and the cleaning information whether the equipment was contaminated due to exposure to a contamination zone, wherein

the updating step updates the hygiene compliancy information to indicate that an infraction has occurred if a patient was exposed to the equipment in the new location while the equipment was still contaminated due to exposure to the contamination zone.