The University of Miami UM-JMH Center for Patient Safety has launched a hand hygiene compliance program (HHC) based on a system from two Michigan-based companies. The product was designed by Farmington Hills-based real-time locating solutions (RTLS) systems integrator, Dynamic Computer Corporation, and Traverse City-based Versus Technology, and uses infrared radio frequency (IR-RF) technology.
The system, the companies say, has been deployed in hundreds of hospitals for automating patient workflow events and can be deployed as a standalone system or as part of an enterprise RTLS system.
The HHC solution works by using small IR-RF sensors in soap dispensing units that read staff ID badges and monitor the location and timing of hand-washing events. Employees hear a verification sound upon successful information capture about whom, when and where the hand washing event has occurred.
With the system, hospitals are able to accurately track and report on HHC compliance in real time, and retroactively to monitor problem areas for additional training where necessary, the companies say. Staff members are alerted in real time when they forget to wash their hands, before an adverse event takes place.
