Hygiene monitoring and control system

HYGIENE MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM

SPECIFICATION

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This PCT application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional Application Serial No. 61/184,398 filed on June 5, 2009 entitled HYGIENE MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM and whose entire disclosure is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field hygiene, and more particularly, to a system and method for monitoring and controlling the washing of hands by people.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

The need for cleaning one's hands in ahospital setting, physician's office, any healthcare facility or any facility where there are a large number of people or patients goes almost without saying. Tracking or monitoring people who do or do not wash their hands before coming in contact with others can be tedious, difficult to enforce and/or expensive. Attempts at implementing hand washing compliance systems are shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,727,818 (Wildman, et al.) and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0001763 (Raja, et al.). However, the complexity and expense of implementing such systems deter businesses or healthcare facilities from investing in such mechanisms. Thus, there remains a need for a hygiene monitoring system that is effective, low cost, and low powered for achieving the goal of tracking or monitoring individuals for washing their hands and for remotely providing others with such data on a timely basis.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A monitoring system for tracking the usage of hygiene devices (e.g., liquid soap dispensers) is disclosed. The system comprises: a first radio frequency identification (RFID) reader (e.g., LX300 Wavetrend reader, or other serial RFID or TPS/IP RFID or other RFID technology, etc.) positioned at a location (e.g., a hospital room) and that automatically reads information from RFID tags that are associated with attendants present at the location; a first hygiene device is positioned at the location, wherein the first hygiene device comprises a first RFID hygiene device tag or a second RFED reader (e.g., LX300 Wavetrend reader, or other serial

RFID or TPS/D? RFID or other RFID technology, etc.), wherein the first RFID hygiene device tag or the second RFID reader is energized upon actuation of the first hygiene device when dispensing a cleaning material from the first hygiene device; the RFID hygiene device tag emits first hygiene device identity information or the second RFID reader conveys RFID first hygiene device information and attendant information; the system further comprises a second hygiene device positioned just outside (e.g., a hallway) the location, wherein the second hygiene device comprises a second RFID hygiene device tag or a third RFID reader (e.g., LX300 Wavetrend reader, or other serial RFED or TPS/EP RFED or other RFED technology, etc.), wherein the second RFED hygiene device tag or the third RFED reader is energized upon actuation of the second hygiene device when dispensing a cleaning material from the second hygiene device, the second RFED hygiene device tag emits second hygiene device identity information or the third RFID reader conveys RFED second hygiene device information and attendant information; a node for receiving all of the information from the first, second and third RFED readers and for conveying the information; and a remotely-located server for receiving all of the information received from the first, second and third RFID readers and for processing the information for hygiene analysis.

A method for tracking the usage of hygiene devices (e.g., liquid soap dispensers) is disclosed. The method comprises: detecting the presence of an attendant upon entry and/or exit into a specified location (e.g., a hospital room) or detecting the activation of a first hygiene device located just outside (e.g., a hallway) said specified location; monitoring the time it takes for the attendant to activate a second hygiene device within the specified location after being detected or monitoring the time it takes the attendant to enter and/or exit the specified location after activating the first hygiene device; conveying information about the attendant entry and/or exit into the specified location and the activation of the first or second hygiene devices, if any; collecting the information and analyzing the information to determine if the attendant has activated either hygiene device within an approved time period.

A dispenser of hygienic material for use in a system that tracks usage of the dispenser is disclosed. The dispenser comprises an RFED dispenser tag or an RFID reader (e.g., LX300 Wavetrend reader, or other serial RFID or TPS/IP RFED or other RFED technology, etc.). The

RFED dispenser tag or the RFED reader are energized upon actuation of the dispenser when dispensing a cleaning material from the dispenser. The first RFED dispenser tag emits first dispenser identity information or the RFED reader conveys RFED dispenser information when said dispenser is actuated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VEEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein:

496744 1 Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the present invention installed in a hospital room by way of example only;

Fig. 2 A is a front view of an exemplary conventional liquid cleaning material dispenser for use in the present invention; Fig. 2B is a side view of the dispenser of Fig. 2A showing the inclusion of a magnet and magnetic switch (shown in phantom) prior to activation of the handle;

Fig. 2C is a side view of the dispenser of Fig. 2B showing how the magnet (shown in phantom) is brought in close proximity to the magnetic switch (shown in phantom) when the handle is activated; Fig. 2D is a partial view of the dispenser showing the cover in an open position and revealing the relative positions of the magnet and magnetic switch;

Fig. 2E shows the wiring from the magnetic switch to the associated electronics of the RFID reader;

Fig. 3 A is a block diagram of a first dispenser configuration of the present invention using a passive RFID reader and associated electronics;

Fig. 3 B is a block diagram of a second dispenser configuration of the present invention using a passive RFID dispenser tag and associated electronics;

Fig. 3 C is a block diagram of a third dispenser configuration of the present invention using a passive RFID reader and a passive RFID dispenser tag and associated electronics; Fig. 4A is a partial schematic corresponding to the dispenser configuration of Fig. 3 A;

Fig. 4B is a partial schematic corresponding to the dispenser configuration of Fig. 3B;

Fig. 4C is a partial schematic corresponding to the dispenser configuration of Fig. 3C; and

Fig. 5 is an exemplary tabulation of collected system data for analysis of tracking hand hygiene.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention 20 involves the monitoring and control of hand-washing by people. By way of example only, the present invention 20 is shown in a hospital environment. It should be understood that this does not impose any limitation upon the application of this system and method which is readily adaptable to any environment where the monitoring and controlling of hand washing by personnel or employees is desired.

The system 20 comprises RFID readers, cleaning material dispensers (e.g., soap dispensers, alcohol-based liquid dispensers, or any equivalent type of cleaning material

496744 1 dispensers, etc.), and wireless communication devices along with network devices. By way of example only, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1 , the present invention is shown implemented in a hospital room R where a patient P is temporarily residing. Located within the room R is a room RFED reader 22 (e.g., LX300 Wavetrend reader, or Serial RFID or TPS/IP RFID or other RFID technology, etc.) and an interface adapter 24 for communicating data to a node 30 for transmission to the Internet. The interface adapter 24 may comprise a variety of communication methodologies and/or hardware, such as but not limited to a hard wired connection to the node 30, or wireless communication methodologies and/or hardware with the node 30 using WIFI protocols, or Bluetooth protocols, (e.g., serial I/O "Blue Snap", Class II, etc.) for communicating data from the RFID reader 22. Thus, the interface adapter 24 (as well as 124 discussed below) represents all types of communication media for conveying the RFED reader (22, 122 and 222) information to the node 30 and may comprise something as simple as a hard wired connection, or a more complex interface such as a wireless transceiver, etc.

This RFID reader 22 is always on and detects the entry of hospital personnel by interrogating an active RFID tag, typically resident in or as part of or otherwise associated with the person's badge. The term "active RFID tag" means, as used in this Specification, an RFID tag that includes its own power supply (e.g., battery). Although one exemplary embodiment of the present invention 20 comprises the range of this RFID reader 22 as being confined to the interior of the room R, it is within the broadest scope of the present invention to have the read range of the RFED reader 22 beyond the room and/or into several rooms (not shown). The location of the reader 22 does not form any limitation on the present invention 20 and can be centrally-located in the room, or at the entrance threshold and which is only dependent upon the installation requirements. As mentioned previously, it should be understood that the RFID reader 22 may be arranged to interrogate more than one room R or area. It should be further understood that the room R or area may in its broadest aspect include simply a restroom or any other location that requires a hand-cleaning event (e.g., a laboratory, washroom, interlock, sterile room, etc.).

The system 20 also comprises a modified cleaning material (or other cleaning or sterilizing solution, e.g., soap, or alcohol-based solution, etc.) dispenser 26, a passive RFID reader (e.g., LX300 Wavetrend reader, or Serial RFID or TPS/EP RFID or other RFED reader, etc.) and/or an RFID tag DST ("dispenser tag" reference character; see Fig. 3B) and associated electronics 122 and an interface adapter 124 for communicating data to the node 30 for transmission to the Internet. The interface adapter 124 may comprise a variety of

4

496744 1 communication methodologies, such as but not limited to a hard wired connection to the node 30, or a wireless communication with the node 30 using WIFI protocols, or Bluetooth protocols, (e.g., serial I/O "Blue Snap", Class II, etc.) for communicating data from the RFID reader 122. As shown in Fig. 1 , all of these components are located at a room washing station (RWS), which includes a sink S. The adapter 124 includes dispenser-related information, e.g., a serial number of the dispenser, its particular location within the facility, etc., as well as time/date information, such that when the adapter 124 transmits "event data", the identity/location of the dispenser is also transmitted.

It should be further noted that such "event data" may also include a "refill indication" or other maintenance alert based upon the number of actuations of the dispenser. For example, a rapid number of dispenser actuations may indicate a low supply of cleaning material and that status can be transmitted as part of the event data to inform appropriate personnel that that particular dispenser needs to be refilled or to have maintenance personnel investigate.

Furthermore, as mentioned previously, although the preferred mechanism for data transfer is WIFI protocols or hard- wired connections using the interface adapter 24 and the interface adapter 124, by way of example also, the system 20 is Bluetooth -enabled and can sense Bluetooth^®-enabled devices. These messages can be used to influence a person who has activated the system 20 to perform hand hygiene. Bluetooth technology is employed in this system 20 to replace or augment data transmission between readers and to relay RS232/422 or RJ45 or other protocols.

Furthermore, the system 20 also comprises a second set of a modified soap dispenser 226, another passive RFID reader 222 and/or an RFID tag DST and another interface adapter 224 but located at an exterior (e.g., hallway) wash station (EWS) located adjacent the doorway D of the room R. All of these components are identical to those located at the RWS, it being understood that the EWS may or may not include a sink S.

Located in the room R is the node transmitter 30. The node transmitter 30 receives data collected from the interface means 24 and the interface adapters 124 and 224 and transmits that data over a communication path 31 that may comprise a communication technologies, such as but not limited to, WIFI protocols, or hard-wired connections, etc., to a main server 32 (e.g., via the Internet) where the raw data is converted to user information based on the requirements of the end user (e.g., hospital administrators).

It should be understood that the implementation of the node 30 within the room R is by way of example only and that it is well within the broadest scope of the present invention to

496744 1 include an implementation where a plurality of rooms or divisions of a facility or facilities are supported by a single node 30 which then conveys the accumulated information over the Internet to the remote server 32.

As mentioned previously each washing station RWS and EWS comprises a modified dispenser 26/226 and a passive RFID reader and/or RFDD tags and associated electronics 122/222. As shown in Figs. 2A-2E, the modified dispenser 26/226 (e.g., a multi-use dispenser manufactured by GoJo which is capable of dispensing a soap cleaner, or an alcohol-based sanitizer, etc.) comprises a conventional hand liquid cleaning solution having a handle H (or button or even a non-contact sensor) for dispensing the liquid cleaning solution from a nozzle N. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2D, the dispenser 26 or 226 comprises a cover 2 that has been disengaged from a main body 4 of the dispenser 26 or 226 via a hinge 6, for clarity purposes only. By way of example only, the dispenser 26/226 is modified to include a magnet M on the back side of a dispenser handle H (Figs. 2B-2D) while a magnetic switch (e.g., ¹A" magnet reed switch contact) MS (Figs. 2B-2D) is secured to a fixed portion of the dispenser adjacent the handle H. With the cover 2 closed against the main body 4 (Fig. 2B), when the handle H is activated (Fig. 2C), the magnet M is brought into close vicinity with the magnetic switch MS thereby causing the MS switch to close, which is electrically coupled to the RFID reader 122 or 222 and/or RFID tags DST and associated electronics. When the switch MS closes, a momentary trigger signal is sent to turn on the RFID reader 122 or 222 and to read the RFID tag of the person activating the dispenser 26/226 or to activate the RFED tag DST to emit the info signal DSI (discussed below) which is detected by the readers 22, 122 or 222. As shown most clearly in Figs. 3 A-3C, the associated electronics receive an input from the magnetic switch MS over conductors C for activating the RFID reader 122 or 222 (Fig. 3A), or activating a passive RFID dispenser tag DST (Fig. 3B), or activating both the RFED reader 122 or 222 and the passive RFID dispenser tag DST (Fig. 3C).

The implementation of the magnet M/magnetic switch MS is by way of example only. This configuration of a "dry contact" utilizes sealed, water-tight elements, especially where the use of a combustible cleaning material (e.g.., alcohol-based cleaning solution) is involved. Thus, the use of a magnetic field detection avoids the possibility of a spark that may occur in a conventional electrical switch. However, a variety of hygiene device handle actuation detection mechanisms are within the broadest scope of the present invention and the magnet M/magnetic switch implementation is not meant to limit these detection mechanisms. For example, a microswitch can be utilized that detects the actuation of the handle. Furthermore, the use of

496744 1 non-contact actuation (e.g., IR sensors or capacitive sensors, etc.) of the dispensers (e.g., those used in towel dispensing) where the close proximity of a person near the hygiene device can cause the hygiene device to automatically dispense the cleaning material, is also within the broadest scope of the present invention 20. A microswitch can be implemented in such a design whereby movement of any part of the hygiene device actuation mechanism (activated by the IR or capacitive sensor) can activate the microswitch for reporting the actuation of the hygiene device.

Corresponding Figs. 4A-4C elaborate on the configurations of Figs 3 A-3C. By way of example only, Fig. 4A is a schematic of the RFID reader and associated electronics 122 or 222. hi particular, the trigger signal is received on pin 2 of timer integrated circuit IC (e.g., 555) from the magnetic switch MS. The timer IC is used in a monostable mode to create a time output from pin 3 which is a command signal to a switch 34 (e.g., a reed relay) that activates the RFID reader for approximately 30 seconds. This permits the room level RFID reader 22 and/or dispenser RFBD reader 122/222 to achieve multiple reads of the person's RFED tag that has activated the dispenser 26/226. The range of the RFE) reader is generally an arm's length detection, thereby eliminating any extraneous or far field reads. Thus, it is the person's tag who is the closest to the dispenser 26/226 that is read by the RFID reader 122/222.

Data collected by the RFED reader 122/222, including the identity and/or other information associated with the dispenser 26/226 which is being actuated by the user, is conveyed to the adjacent interface adapter 124/224. Alternatively, each adapter may comprise an associated dispenser identification number, and thus the identity of the dispenser 26/226 and its location may be stored within the interface adapter 124/224. The interface adapter 124/224 then conveys this data, i.e., the identity of the person who just activated the dispenser 26/226, as well as the dispenser ID and location (as well as time/date information) to the node transmitter 30.

Alternatively, as shown in Fig.4B, instead of the trigger signal activating an RFID reader 122 or 222 associated with the dispenser 26/226, the trigger signal may activate a passive RFED dispenser tag DST to cause it to emit data about the dispenser 26/226 (e.g., dispenser identity, etc.) being actuated in a signal DSI ("dispenser information" reference character; see Fig. 3B) which is then detected by an RFED reader 22 or 122 or 222 which is then conveys this information onward. This configuration may provide a more cost effective implementation since it does not require a dedicated RFED reader to be associated with each dispenser 26/226. Once the particular RFID reader 22 or 122 or 222 obtains the dispenser tag information DSI and

7

496744 1 the identity of the user actuating the dispenser, the information is conveyed onto the node 30 as discussed previously.

Furthermore, another alternative, as shown in Fig. 4C, depicts the use of both an RFID reader and an RFID dispenser tag DST that are activated by the trigger signal. In this implementation, when the user actuates the dispenser, the trigger signal energizes both the RFID reader 122 or 222 as well as the dispenser tag DST and thereby the RFID reader 122 or 222 obtains the dispenser information from the signal DSI from the RFID dispenser tag DST. Once the particular RFID reader 122 or 222 obtains the dispenser tag information DSI and the identity of the user actuating the dispenser, the information is conveyed onto the node 30 as discussed previously.

It should be further understood that it is within the broadest scope of the present invention to include RFID readers that can detect information from a plurality of dispensers 26/226 in the vicinity. Thus, for example, a plurality of dispensers 26/226 can be implemented as discussed with regard to Fig. 4B whereby upon actuation of the dispenser 26/226, the trigger signal energizes a passive RFID dispenser tag DST that emits its pertinent information DSI and that a local RFID reader can detect that signal. Thus, a single RFID reader may be able to support the detection of a plurality of RFED dispenser tag signals DSIs from room wash stations RWS and/or hallway/exterior wash stations EWS. This greatly reduces the cost of having to provide a dedicated RFED reader with each dispenser 26/226. Before operation of the system 20 is discussed, the following should be noted:

A "hygiene cycle" is defined as hand hygiene upon entry and exit of the room R. Closed hygiene events are scored as "yes" while open hygiene events are scored as a "no." Entry and exit hygiene performance are measured as separate occurrences for individual personnel although these two acts (entry hygiene and exit hygiene) must be linked in order to track the completion of an entire hygiene cycle. In analyzing the collected data, data can be rolled up from the personnel level, then to the unit/cost center level, then to the department level and then to the facility level. As to graphing functions, employee compliance, regardless of location, can be accomplished by entry, by exit and by the two combined; unit/cost center compliance can be accomplished by entry, exit and the two combined; department compliance, regardless of location, can be accomplished by entry, exit and the two combined; facility compliance can be accomplished by entry, exit and the two combined. Fig. 5 depicts, by way of example only, a tabulation of some of the collected system data.

A hygiene cycle within the system 20 starts as soon as an attendant (doctor, nurse,

496744 1 technician, etc.) enters the room R and the RFBD reader 22 automatically detects and identifies the personnel tag worn by the attendant. The attendant must use the dispenser 226 at the door D before entering, or the dispenser(s) 26 inside the room R, in order to close the event. Once the tag is sensed, a countdown timer is started (e.g., 20 seconds). It should be understood that the countdown timer is adjustable and can be programmed for any desirable time period (e.g., 20 seconds). If an in-room dispenser 26 is not triggered before the timer reaches zero, the event remains open, therefore being scored as a "no" in the system 20 against that particular personnel tag. If, on the other hand, a door/ hall dispenser 226 is triggered and the person enters and is sensed immediately, the event is scored as a "yes" in the system 20 against that particular personnel tag. If a room dispenser 26 is activated, a count down timer starts and a person does not leave the room, the event is not scored. If a room dispenser 26 is triggered, a count down timer starts and the person leaves the room R, the event is scored as a "yes" in the system 20 against that personnel tag. If, on the other hand, a person leaves the room R and a room dispenser 26 is not triggered, and the dispenser 226 at the door D in the hall is not triggered, the event is scored as a "no" in the system 20 against that personnel tag. If a person leaves the room R and the hall/door dispenser 226 is triggered immediately, the event is scored as a "yes" in the system 20 against that personnel tag. The count down timer is fully programmable down to the person level, meaning that departments or individuals could have different count down timer settings. As mentioned earlier, the information transmitted to the server 32 from the RWS and

EWS messages can be used to influence an attendant who has been detected but has failed to complete the hygiene cycle. For example, the server 32 can "call" the attendant's cellphone (or other personal digital assistant, PDA, personal communication device, etc.) and inform him/her that he/she has failed to activate the fluid dispenser 26 or 126 and to do so immediately. Furthermore, it is within the broadest scope of the present invention to include the provision of printed reports of performance status on demand, or for certain time periods, from a call center, or locations or drill-down to employee level, etc. In addition, the system/method can also be operated based on web-hosting. A tracking and feedback reporting system of hand hygiene compliance measures can be sent from call centers, unit-based, building-based, personnel level, or canned messaging to personal communication devices. The frequency of reporting can be, as stated previously, on-demand, weekly, monthly, etc. Thus, once all of the event data is collected, these data can be processed in a variety of available software programs and configurations (e.g., web-based analysis and reporting).

496744 1 The system 20 includes a counter of dispenser triggers that tabulates the number of triggers per dispenser. This information is used to monitor hygiene product levels and or battery life. An alert via cell or alpha numeric text may be sent to the attendant once a certain programmable number of triggers is reached. There is no manual reset required of the counter. The counter clears automatically after a predetermined number of triggers. As mentioned previously, the system 20 utilizes multiple tags, beacon tags for personnel, and interface adapters 124/224 for the dispensers 26/226.

By way of summary, entry and exit cause activation of the system 20 via positive reads and completion of sequence cycles. There are two types of "entry" in the system 20: (1) "hall" or "door" dispenser activation; and (2) room reader.

1) Hall dispenser - entry: a) Hall dispenser 226 activated, user is identified by reader 222. b) User enters room R in predetermined amount of time. c) User previously identified by hall dispenser 226 enters room, room reader 22 identifies user in room R. d) Entrance cycle complete.

2) Room dispenser - entry: a) User identified by room reader 22. b) User activates a room dispenser 26 in a predetermined amount of time. c) Entrance cycle complete.

There are two types of "exit" or "departure" in the system 20, as shown below:

1) Departure 1 a) Room R b) User exits room R in a predetermined time after dispenser activation. c) User identified by room reader 22 exiting room R. d) Departure cycle complete.

2) Departure 2 a) User exits room R b) User identified by room reader 22 exiting room R. c) Hall dispenser 226 identifies user upon activation. d) Departure cycle complete. A system operator may choose both entry and exit cycles, and individual cycles.

It should be further understood that the system and method of the present invention

10

496744 1 encompasses web-based hosting. A tracking and feedback reporting system of hand hygiene compliance measures can be sent from a call center, unit based, building based, personnel level, or canned messaging to personal communication devices, etc. Reporting can be on demand or weekly, monthly, or upon any desirable frequency. The thrust of the present invention does not require that every room be continuously monitored (e.g., over 24 hours/7 days a week and for each employee). Rather, the present invention can be configured to operate based on sampling, e.g., on the surveillance of every other room, or every third or every fourth room, etc, and for specific periods of time. Thus, total institutional/facility monitoring can be configured or arranged on a sampled, not continuous basis.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, other healthcare, military, lab, clean room, and food service/processing facilities, and other markets that require monitoring of human behavior, such as time switched industrial manufacturing.

11

496744 1