Hi-tech ways to keep hands clean in hospitals

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta estimates that one of every 20 patients in US hospitals gets a hospital-acquired infection each year. Experts say that healthcare professionals wash their hands only 50% of time. An electronic compliance monitoring system using wireless technology tracks the usage of soap and hand sanitizer dispensers. The system gives the hospital data on high- and low-compliance areas.

The green badge method uses sensors attached in badge and lights in different colours like, green, yellow and red to show the status of the hygiene level of the badge were. After hands are washed, they are to be placed before the batch that detects the level of alcohol cleanser and lights up the badge in bright green symbol. If the wearer fails to sanitise the hands, then it lights in yellow colour and chirps every 10 seconds for 40 seconds, then flashes red. Once the flashing red starts, the person has another 30 seconds to wash up, otherwise the badge turns solid red, denoting non-compliance. Every moment is tracked by a computer, allowing the hospital to track each individual’s compliance.

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This method of visual plus audio aid helps in knowing the level of hand hygiene and reminds healthcare professional to sanitise their hands.

The system has been successfully implemented in some Canadian hospitals with 99% positive results.