System for monitoring hand cleaning compliance

A system to allow employers to monitor employee handwashing or hand sanitization compliance in a facility with a plurality of touchless dispensers for metering a cleanser, disinfectant or lotion on the hands of a user. A detector associated with each dispenser triggers operation of the dispensing mechanism and sends a signal to a local controller which date and time stamps the dispensing act. The controller sends a report to a central computer which identifies the dispenser and the date and time of each dispensing act. The reports from the several dispensers is stored in a database for management review. On receipt of a signal from the detector, the controller may also trigger operation of a preferably touchless input device to identify the user. Data collected by the input device is relayed to the central computer through the controller. The central computer is programmed with an algorithm for matching the data collected by the input device with data previously collected and identified with the user. During the dispensing processes, the controller may signal an output device that indicates to the user that the system is working.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system to allow employers to monitor employee handwashing or hand sanitization compliance in keeping with local and state codes and recommendations.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

It is known that poor hand cleaning compliance in the medical and food industries is a source of infectious disease. It is also known that hand cleaning compliance increases if an employee knows that management is monitoring compliance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cost-effective system that allows management to monitor hand cleaning compliance. Other objects and features of the invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In accordance with the invention, a system for monitoring hand cleaning compliance includes a plurality of touchless dispensers for metering a cleanser, disinfectant or lotion onto the hands of a user. Each of the dispensers has a discharge port and a detector which triggers operation of a dispensing mechanism and sends a signal to a controller to date and time stamp the dispensing act when a user places his or her hands under the discharge port. The controller sends a report to a central computer which identifies the dispenser and the date and time of each dispensing act. The central computer stores the reports from the several dispensers in a database and displays them for management review.

On receipt of a signal from the detector, the controller may trigger operation of an input device to acquire information about the user who is using the dispenser. Preferably the input device is touchless and identifies the user with biometric data, radio frequency identification, magnetic key or the like. The data taken by the input device is passed through the controller to the central computer which is programmed with an algorithm for matching the data collected by the input device with data previously collected and identified with the user.

Upon receipt of a signal from the detector that operation of the dispenser has been triggered by the placement of a user's hands under the discharge port of the dispenser, the controller may signal an output device for providing feedback to the user indicating that the system is working and that his or her acts are being monitored.

The invention summarized above comprises the systems hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated by the subjoined claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral10refers to a system for monitoring hand cleaning compliance in accordance with the present invention. A plurality of touchless dispensers12is provided for use by employees such as food handlers, hospital workers, day care personnel and the like to be monitored by a manager.

Touchless dispensers12operate with a variety of electrical and electromechanical components to automatically dispense a metered amount of a soap, anti-bacterial cleansing liquid, lotion or the like. Such dispensers12have a discharge port14for metering the cleanser into the hands of a user16and a detector18which triggers operation of the dispensing mechanism on receipt of a signal20from detector18. Detector18can be a proximity switch with optical, infrared, magnetic or ultrasonic sensor. The dispensing mechanism can be a simple mechanical valve or pump, an electric generated pump, or any other known device that can produce a useful volume of cleaning liquid.

When detector triggers operation of the dispensing mechanism, a signal20′ is also sent to a controller22such as a microprocessor. Controller22puts a date and time stamp on the dispensing act. Controller22also sends the information in a report to a central computer24which stores reports from the plurality of touchless dispensers12being monitored in a database. The reports stored in a database may be displayed for management review.

As heretofore described, system10is capable of tracking the number of usages of each dispenser12over a given time period. No distinction is made between multiple applications by a given user and no data is collected, stored or calculated in regards to individual users. Simple system10allows a supervisor to be able to approximately track whether the employees are washing their hands or applying disinfectant as instructed. From the reports stored in central computer24, the supervisor can obtain an approximation of compliance from the number of dispensing events by tabulating the number of employees during a given shift and the length of time of the shift together with an expected standard of compliance (e.g., an employee will engage in two sanitizing acts per hour). Although the supervisor will not be able to identify which employees washed or applied disinfectant, he will be able to ascertain gross violations of protocol and respond accordingly. Simple system10thus provides a low-cost form of compliance monitoring leading to informed action.

A more complicated system10′ may also include an input device26co-located with each dispenser12for use in identifying each employee. On receipt of signal20′ from detector18, controller22may also trigger input device26with signal27. Biometric data such a voice print, fingerprints, palm scans, retinal scans or the like may be taken by input device26. A camera may be provided for taking a facial or hand image to compare against a known facial or hand model for the person being identified. The data taken by input device26is sent as a signal28to controller22which, in turn, sends a report to central computer24. Central computer24is outfitted with an algorithm suitable for matching the biometric data collected by input device26with biometric data previously collected and identified with the user. For example, a voice recognition algorithm, a facial recognition algorithm, a hand geometry recognition algorithm, etc. may be used. Other touchless employee identification input devices26may be used such as radio frequency identification (RFID) elements where a user need only bring an RFID identification transponder within certain angle of input device26. A biometric identification system is preferred, however, because it is more difficult for an employee to scam the system such as by using another's RFID badge, magnetic key or other such accessing means. From the reports stored in central computer24, a supervisor may obtain exact compliance reporting for each employee.

System10′ may further include an output device30co-located with each dispenser12for providing feedback to the user regarding use of the dispenser on signal32from controller22. This may include one or more blinking lights, an LED display or a video monitor or audio speaker. Output device30may be desirable because, as a general rule, compliance is higher if the user knows that the system is working and his or her acts are being monitored.

If being a good citizen is not enough incentive to take action regarding hand cleaning compliance, an outbreak of an infectious disease traced back to an employer can be devastating to a business. System10,10provides a cost-effective, non-intrusive way for food service providers, restaurant owners or health care providers to ensure that hand cleaning protocols are being followed and take informed action if they are not.