Irisys introduced new technology at APIC 2012 that seeks to boost handwashing compliance and prevent hospital-acquired infections.
Nearly 100,000 Americans die annually from the nearly 2 million hospital-acquired infections that occur yearly in the United States, according to the release. The system, currently being trialed in the United Kingdom, uses non-intrusive thermal sensors deployed at key points throughout a healthcare facility to detect movement of people and determine an accurate count of handwashing opportunities.
The system then compares these opportunities with actual handwash occurrences and also monitors when sanitizing gel hand-rub or soap dispensers are used. Combined with communications and reporting systems, the resulting solution is a non-intrusive technology that could cut infection rates.
"Our thermal system is groundbreaking in that it monitors personnel behavior 24/7 without violating privacy. At Irisys, we don't believe it will ever be widely acceptable to put video cameras in patient areas, and our system does not need them," says Tony Dunn, divisional director, health care for Irisys. "Healthcare facilities around the world will no longer be forced to dedicate valuable human resources to manual monitoring techniques. The system never tires, never rests and is completely unaffected by lighting. The results of our UK trials could forever change how health care professionals ensure hand hygiene compliance."
Learn more about Irisys.
Related Articles on Infection Control:
Patient Safety Tool Patient Fall Prevention and Management Protocol
Hand Hygiene Market to Reach $417M by 2017
5 Practices to Improve Infection Rates and Clinical Quality
Nearly 100,000 Americans die annually from the nearly 2 million hospital-acquired infections that occur yearly in the United States, according to the release. The system, currently being trialed in the United Kingdom, uses non-intrusive thermal sensors deployed at key points throughout a healthcare facility to detect movement of people and determine an accurate count of handwashing opportunities.
The system then compares these opportunities with actual handwash occurrences and also monitors when sanitizing gel hand-rub or soap dispensers are used. Combined with communications and reporting systems, the resulting solution is a non-intrusive technology that could cut infection rates.
"Our thermal system is groundbreaking in that it monitors personnel behavior 24/7 without violating privacy. At Irisys, we don't believe it will ever be widely acceptable to put video cameras in patient areas, and our system does not need them," says Tony Dunn, divisional director, health care for Irisys. "Healthcare facilities around the world will no longer be forced to dedicate valuable human resources to manual monitoring techniques. The system never tires, never rests and is completely unaffected by lighting. The results of our UK trials could forever change how health care professionals ensure hand hygiene compliance."
Learn more about Irisys.
Related Articles on Infection Control:
Patient Safety Tool Patient Fall Prevention and Management Protocol
Hand Hygiene Market to Reach $417M by 2017
5 Practices to Improve Infection Rates and Clinical Quality
