Feb 14 2011
The National Institute for Health Research Invention for Innovation under its small business research initiative recently contracted Irisys to build sensors that will ensure that health centers will adhere to hand washing rules.
The intrinsically automatic monitoring and alerting system will incorporate relevant communication and reporting features, and will provide non-interfering and cost- effective solutions. Although, it has been designed specifically for the NHS, it will also be applicable in the food processing and packaging segments. It is aimed at preventing infections caused by unhygienic conditions such as unwashed hands.
Pathogens like MRSA and C-difficile prevalent in hospitals, though not harmful to the person infected with them, can endanger life in a hospital. In order to prevent infection spreading from one person to another, every one entering or leaving a patient care zone will need to wash their hands properly. Attendants should also wash their hands after touching each patient. The Intelligent Handwashing Monitor (IHM) studies behavioral patterns of every person within the hospital confines to ensure that they adhere to the norms. The system tracks movement of people, the number of people entering or leaving an area, and matches them with the number of times the hand wash system has been utilized.
Source: http://www.irisys.co.uk/