Detecting soap fumes from hospital hands

GAINESVILLE, Fla., June 9 (UPI) -- University of Florida researchers say they have developed a technology to monitor healthcare workers' hand hygiene by detecting soap fumes.

Dr. Richard J. Melker, Dr. Donn Dennis, Dr. Nikolaus Gravenstein and Christopher Batich say their system is the first to provide real-time monitoring of hand washing.

"This isn't big brother, this is just another tool," Melker says in a statement. "A hospital worker never wants to be responsible for someone getting sick or dying from an infection acquired in the hospital."

The trademarked system, called HyGreen, logs the frequency of hand cleaning and contact with patients in a database that clinical supervisors can review.

The healthcare worker squirts sanitizer gel or soap into his or her hand before passing it under a wall-mounted sensor. A wireless signal from a badge worn by the worker activates a green light on the hand-washing sensor, the researchers say.

When the worker enters a patient's room, a monitor near the bed detects the status of the badge, and flashes green if the person has clean hands. If the person has not washed, or too much time has passed between washing and approaching the patient, the badge will give a gentle "reminder" vibration, Melker says.

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.