The University of Miami UM-JMH Center for Patient Safety at Jackson Memorial Hospital has started tests of a hand hygiene compliance program that uses infrared and radio frequency identification technologies to capture and time-stamp hand washings.
The goal of the tests is to see if the technology can help reduce hospital-acquired infections. The center is using the IR-RF technologies of Versus Technology in Traverse City, Mich., combined with systems integration services from Dynamic Computer Corp., Farmington Hills, Mich.
The program uses small IR-RF sensors in soap dispensing units that read staff identification badges and monitor the location and timing of hand washing. The system captures whom, when and where the hand washing occurred.
Hospitals then can track and report on washing compliance, and identify problem areas for additional training, according to the vendors. The system also can alert staff members in real time when they forget to wash hands. Pilot testing in a hospital setting is expected after initial tests at the safety center.
More information is available at http://anesthesiology.med.miami.edu/x356.xml.
--Joseph Goedert
JUL 29, 2009 5:21pm ET
Testing I.T. to Improve Hand Washing
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