Patent Publication Number: US-2013229276-A1

Title: Systems and Methods for Providing Hand Washing and Sanitizing Alerts

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The disclosure claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/606,099, titled “Systems and Methods for Providing a Hand Washing and Sanitizing Alert System,” filed on Mar. 2, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure generally relates to healthcare, and more particularly, relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for providing hand washing and sanitizing alerts. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The hands of health care workers, hospital beds and patients serve as homes to countless bacteria which lead to about 1.7 million infections and about 99,000 deaths per year, totaling about US$6.5 billion in health care costs. Many studies have shown a relationship between improved hand hygiene and decreased rates of transmissible infection. However, despite this strong evidence, certain hospital wards consistently report less than about 50% compliance with hand hygiene. Needless to say, change is needed, both for patient safety and to decrease total health care costs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the disclosure can include systems, methods, and apparatus for providing hand washing and sanitizing alerts. Certain embodiments of the disclosure can improve hand hygiene by pairing an alert with the action of cleansing. 
     In one embodiment, a method for providing hand washing and sanitizing alerts can be provided. The method can include generating an alert based at least in part on detecting a person entering or exiting an area. The method can further include ceasing the alert based at least in part on detecting the person washing or sanitizing his or her hands. 
     In another embodiment, a system for providing hand washing and sanitizing alerts can be provided. The system can include at least one sanitizer device; at least one sensor; at least one alert device; and at least one processor operable to execute computer-executable instructions stored in a memory device. The instructions can be operable to, based at least in part on detecting, via the at least one sensor, a person entering or exiting an area, generate an alert; and based at least in part on detecting, via the at least one sanitizer device, the person washing or sanitizing his or her hands, cease the alert. 
     In yet another embodiment, one or more computer readable media for providing hand washing and sanitizing alerts can be provided. The one or more computer readable media can include computer-executable instructions stored in a memory for execution by at least one processor. The instructions can be operable to based at least in part on detecting, via at least one sensor, a person entering or exiting an area, generate an alert; and based at least in part on detecting, via at least one sanitizer device, the person washing or sanitizing his or her hands, cease the alert. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the disclosure can include systems, methods, and apparatus for providing hand washing and sanitizing alerts. Certain embodiments of the disclosure can improve hand hygiene by pairing an alert with the action of cleansing. Certain embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented in health care environments, food service environments, school environments, and other environments that monitor and/or depend on hand hygiene. 
     In one example embodiment, a system for providing hand washing and sanitizing alerts can be provided. In this example, a motion detector can be paired with a sanitizing device for a particular room or area. The motion detector can generate an alert that is triggered by any motion detected within the room or area. The motion detector can be installed in or adjacent to the room or area, for instance, at or adjacent to an entrance to the room or area. The sanitizing device can be a hand washing or hand sanitizing device, which may be selected depending on the suitability for a particular patient, area, room, or circumstance. In any instance, the motion detector can trigger the sanitizing device. Once triggered, the motion detector can set off any number or combinations of tactile alerts, such as a sound, a visual cue and/or a light near or on the sanitizing device that can serve as a reminder to a person to wash or sanitize his or her hands. The one or more alerts can be turned off when the sanitizing device is activated by the user. 
     In certain embodiments, an override device can be provided to turn off the one or more alerts, such as in case of accidental or inadvertent activation or an emergency. For example, an override device can be a prominently displayed button located on a patient&#39;s bedside controller or a motion detector located within the area or room, such as located adjacent to a patient. 
     Certain embodiments of the invention can provide a technical effect of active and/or passive alerts that may require active hand cleansing and/or washing in order to silence the alerts. In some instances, activation of a sanitizing device will be a path of least resistance for deactivating one or more alerts. In other instances, a reminder can be provided to persons entering or exiting certain areas or rooms, the persons can be held accountable to those already present, such as one or more patients, by alerting those present that sanitizing needs to be performed and deactivating the alerts when has been completed. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example environment and system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The example environment can be a healthcare facility  100 , and the system can be a hand washing and sanitizing alert system  102 . The hand washing and sanitizing alert system  102  can include one or more sensors  104 A- 104 N, one or more hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N, and one or more tactile alert devices  108 A- 108 N. The system  102  can also include a controller, such as one or more processors  110 , or similar control device operable to execute one or more computer-executable instructions stored in an associated memory, such as  112 . The one or more processors can be in communication with the one or more sensors  104 A- 104 N, one or more hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N, and one or more tactile alert devices  108 A- 108 N. The computer-executable instructions can include an alert module  114 , which can be operable to generate an alert based at least in part on detecting, via at least one sensor, a person entering or exiting an area, such as the healthcare facility. The alert module  114  can be further operable to cease the alert based at least in part on detecting, via at least one sanitizer device, the person washing or sanitizing his or her hands. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the one or more sensors  104 A- 104 N can include, for example, at least one motion detection device. The one or more sensors  104 A- 104 N, can also can include, for example, any combination of motion detection devices, motion sensors, face detectors, identification device readers, and/or thermal sensors. In certain embodiments, the one or more sensors  104 A- 104 N can be positioned adjacent to an ingress or egress to the environment or healthcare facility  100 , such as sensors  104 A and  104 B, or to any other area to be monitored. Further, one or more sensors, such as  104 C- 104 N, can be positioned near or otherwise integrated with one or more hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N, wherein the operation of the hand sanitizing device can be detected by the corresponding or associated sensor. One will recognize that the one or more sensors  104 A- 104 N can be positioned within or adjacent to the environment or healthcare facility  100 , depending on the nature of the one or more sensors used. For example, an identification device reader, such as a biometric data, RFID detection device, or identification reader can be positioned outside, inside, or near an ingress or egress to the healthcare facility  100 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the one or more hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N can include, for example, at least one hand sanitizing gel dispenser device, such as described in  FIG. 2 . The one or more hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N can also include, for example, any combination of hand sanitizing devices, hand sanitizing gel dispenser devices, soap dispenser devices, plasma hand sanitizers, motion activated or touchless faucets, conventional faucets, sinks, and any other hand cleaning or sanitizing device. In certain embodiments, the one or more hand sanitizing devices, such as  106 B, can be positioned near or within the environment or healthcare facility  100 , either near an ingress or egress to the environment or healthcare facility  100 , or in other locations as needed or convenient. In some instances, one or more hand sanitizing devices, such as  106 C and  106 N, can be positioned near sources of power, water, or other utilities as needed to facilitate suitable operation of the one or more hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 1  can also include one or more tactile alert devices  108 A- 108 N, which can include, for example, a light mounted near the one or more hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N. The one or more tactile alert devices  108 A- 108 N can also include, for example, any combination of sound generators, lights, vibrating devices, and any other tactile generation devices. In certain embodiments, the one or more tactile alert devices, such as  108 B- 108 C and  108 G- 108 N, can be positioned near or within the environment or healthcare facility  100  adjacent to or mounted on the one or more hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N. In some instances, one or more tactile alert devices, such as  108 D- 108 F, can be positioned within the environment or healthcare facility  100  adjacent to fixtures or patients that may be located within the environment or healthcare facility  100 . For example, one or more tactile alert devices  108 D- 108 F, such as lights, can be mounted to respective beds located within the environment or healthcare facility  100 . By way of another example, one or more tactile alert devices  108 D- 108 F, such as lights, can be mounted adjacent to respective bedside tables within the environment or healthcare facility  100 . By way of further example, one or more tactile alert devices  108 A- 108 N, such as a series of red and green lights, can be mounted to badges or wristbands worn by respective patients within the environment or healthcare facility  100 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , a controller, such as processor  110 , or similar control device can execute one or more computer-executable instructions associated with the alert module  114 . The alert module  114 , in this embodiment, can monitor the one or more sensors  104 A- 104 N, such as a motion detector mounted adjacent to an ingress or egress to the environment or healthcare facility  100 , for the approach and/or entry of a person, such as  116 , into the monitored environment or healthcare facility  100 . Upon detection of the person  116  by the at least one sensor, such as  104 A or  104 B, the alert module  114  can receive at least one signal or indication generated by the at least one sensor  104 A or  104 B. In certain embodiments, the alert module  114  can select any number of the one or more hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N, depending on circumstances, and the alert module  114  can send a signal to one or more corresponding or associated tactile alert devices  108 A- 108 N to initiate a respective alert, such as a light, sound, vibration or other tactile output. In this manner, the system  102  can gain the attention of the person  116  as he or she enters or exits a particular area, and direct the person  116  towards a particular hand sanitizing device  106 A- 106 N, thus reminding the person  116  to sanitize his or her hands. 
     For example, upon detection of entry of a person  116  into a room with two hand sanitizing devices, one hand sanitizing device  106 B closer to a patient&#39;s bed location than the another hand sanitizing device  106 G located on an opposing wall, the alert module  114  can select the hand sanitizing device  106 C closer to the patient&#39;s bed location. The alert module  114  can transmit a signal to at least one tactile alert device, such as  108 B, associated with or adjacent to the selected hand sanitizing device  106 B, and the tactile alert device  108 B can emit a light to alert the person  116  to wash or sanitize his or her hands using the selected hand sanitizing device  106 B. 
     By way of another example, upon detection of entry of a person  116  into a room with two different types of hand sanitizing devices, such as a hand gel sanitizing device  106 B and a hand washing device  106 C located within the environment or health care facility  100 , the alert module  114  can select one or the other device  106 B,  106 C depending on a variety of factors, such as a patient&#39;s health, the person&#39;s prior behavior and/or locations, and/or history of the environment or health care facility. The alert module  114  can transmit a signal or indication to at least one tactile alert device, such as  108 C, associated with or adjacent to the selected hand sanitizing device  106 C, and the tactile alert device  108 C can generate an alert, such as emitting a light and an audible alarm, to alert the person  116  to wash or sanitize his or her hands using the selected hand sanitizing device  106 C. 
     Certain factors may include, but are not limited to, a patient&#39;s relative health or health status, a person&#39;s activity or behavior with respect to visiting one or more prior locations, a person&#39;s compliance record with regard to washing or sanitizing, a person&#39;s frequency in washing or sanitizing, a health care facility&#39;s prior history in preventing or spreading a particular virus or bacteria, and a health care facility&#39;s compliance record with regard to washing or sanitizing. 
     By way of further example, one or more sensors  104 F- 104 H can be spaced apart within the health care facility  100  when a doorway threshold or wall may not exist between patients or beds. In this example, each of the sensors can include adjustable detection ranges. The detection ranges for each sensor can be programmed such that when a person moving from one patient or bed to another patient or bed may be detected by the one or more sensors  104 F- 104 H. The alert module  104  can, in certain instances, monitor the person&#39;s movements, and generate a suitable alert via the tactile alert devices  108 A- 108 N to remind the person to use at least one of the hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N, if the person&#39;s movements indicate the person finished working with one patient and has moved his or her attention to begin working with another patient. In these instances, the alert module  114  may initiate an alert from a tactile alert device associated with the hand sanitizing device closest to the person as soon as the person moves away from one patient or sensor and within a predefined range of another patient or sensor. 
     In certain embodiments, an alert may be delayed for a predefined amount of time. For example, an alert may be delayed for about  10 - 15  seconds to provide time for a person entering a monitored area, such as  100 , to sanitize his or her hands without having to be prompted by the alert or system  102 . The alert module  114  can be programmed with suitable computer-executable instructions to define a delay as needed. One will recognize that any predefined amount of time can be used in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
     After the selected hand sanitizing device, such as  106 B, is operated, the alert module  114  can receive an associated signal or indication from the selected hand sanitizing device  106 B, and the alert module  114  can cease the alert by the associated tactile alert device  108 B. In this instance, the alert, such as the light and audible alarm, can be turned off by the alarm module  114  after the hand sanitizing device  106 B is operated. 
     In certain embodiments, upon detecting the person sanitizing his or her hands before a predefined amount of time, the alert may be undetected by the person. For example, if a predefined amount of time such as about  10 - 15  seconds elapses and the person entering a monitored area, such as  100 , sanitizes his or her hands, the alert may go undetected by the person. 
     In certain embodiments, the alert by the associated tactile alert device, such as  108 B, can be ceased by manual operation of a cutoff or override switch, such as  117 A, associated with the tactile alert device  108 B with or without operation of a selected hand sanitizing device, such as  106 B. In these instances, the alert, such as a light and audible alarm, may be silenced in case of accident or emergency. 
     By way of another example, a cutoff or override switch, such as  117 B, can be a button located adjacent to a patient&#39;s bedside, such as a bed/room controller. By way of further example, a cutoff or override switch, such as  117 C, can be a sensor located adjacent to or on the patient, which a person or patient may initiate a gesture or verbal command to silence an activated alarm. In any instance, each of the cutoff or override switches  117 A- 117 C can generate a signal, indication, or output for transmission to the alert module  114 , which can cease the alert generated by a tactile alert device  108 A- 108 N. In some instances, a cutoff or override switch may directly communicate with a tactile alert device to cease an alert. Any number of cutoff or override switches can be positioned within an environment as needed in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
     One will recognize that any number of tactile alert devices  108 A- 108 N can be mounted to or integrated in any number of fixtures within or moved within the environment or healthcare facility  100 . Further, one will recognize that any number of tactile alert devices  108 A- 108 N can be mounted to or integrated in any number of identification devices present in or otherwise worn by patients or health care personnel in the environment or healthcare facility  100 . One may further recognize that any number of corresponding cutoff or override switches or devices may be associated with the tactile alert devices  108 A- 108 N in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, an alert generated by the alert module  114  can be transmitted to a processor-based device, such as  118 , associated with a person, such as  116 . The alert may be received by the processor-based device  118 , and the alert can be silenced or ceased by the person  116  through a command input, such as manual input, by the person  116  to the processor-based device  118 . The processor-based device  118  can be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable computer, a laptop, a mobile computer, a messaging device, or any other device operable to communicate via a network. In some embodiments, a command input to the processor-based device  118  can be a voice input or a gesture input. 
     In many instances, operation of at least one hand sanitizing device  106 A- 106 N, after an alarm has been initiated, will be the path of least resistance for ceasing or silencing the alarm. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the system  102  can include a server and/or host computer  120 , which hosts the alert module  114 . The server and/or host computer  120  may be a computing device, such as a personal computer (PC), handheld or tablet computer, or other processor-based device. The server and/or host computer  120  can include the memory  112 , the one or more processors  110 , and one or more communication interfaces or connections  122 . Further, the memory  112  can include one or more modules, such as the alert module  114 , an operating system  124 , one or more counters  126 , and any number of other modules with computer-executable instructions. 
     The alert module  114  of  FIG. 1  can also initiate and monitor any number of counters  126 , which can track the number of times any number of persons wash or sanitize their hands or otherwise use the hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N. The data accumulated by or otherwise obtained by counters  126  can be combined with times and dates, events, and other environment-related data, and reporting of some or all of the data can be managed by the alert module  114 . For example, a report showing the number of dates and times a particular health care worker sanitizes his or her hands after entering a monitored environment, such as  102 , can be generated by the alert module  114  to compare with and monitor compliance with any number of applicable health care and facility standards or guidelines. 
     The alert module  114  of  FIG. 1  can also initiate and monitor any number of timers  127 , which can track the time a particular person washes or sanitizes their hands, or otherwise uses the hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N. The data accumulated by or otherwise obtained by timers  127  can be compared to by the alert module  114  to any suitable or applicable standard or recommendation for washing and/or sanitizing. For example, a standard, guideline, recommended time, or recommended amount of sanitizer for washing a person&#39;s hands can be compared against a person&#39;s time or amount of sanitizer to wash his or her hands at a particular hand sanitizing device  106 A- 106 N. In some embodiments, a predefined quantity or amount of sanitizer can be known to be dispensed from a hand sanitizing device over a certain amount of time, thus based on an amount of time the hand sanitizing device is used, the total dispensed quantity or amount of sanitizer can be calculated. In certain instances, the alert module  114  can transmit a suitable signal to a tactile alert device, such as  108 A- 108 N, associated with the particular hand sanitizing device  106 A- 106 N if the standard, guideline, recommended time, or recommended amount of sanitizer is or is not met. In any instance, the alert module  114  can track and monitor compliance with any number of applicable health care and facility standards or guidelines. 
     Optionally, the server and/or host computer  120  may include removable storage, non-removable storage, one or more input/output interfaces  128 , one or more input device(s), and one or more output device(s). The one or more input devices can include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc., and the one or more output devices can include, but are not limited to, a display, speakers, printer, etc. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the one or more processors  110  shown can be in communication with the memory  112 . The one or more processors  110  can receive signals, indications, or output from the sensors  104 A- 104 N and can process or otherwise store the signals, indications, and outputs in memory  112 . The one or more processors  110  may be implemented as appropriate in hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof. Software or firmware implementations of the one or more processors  110  may include computer-executable or machine-executable instructions written in any suitable programming language to perform the various functions described. The memory  112  may store program instructions that are loadable and executable on the processor  110  as well as data generated during the execution of these programs. Depending on the configuration and type of environment or system  102 , memory  112  may be volatile (such as random access memory (RAM)) and/or non-volatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.). The system  102  may include additional removable storage and/or non-removable storage including, but not limited to, magnetic storage, optical disks, and/or tape storage. The disk drives and their associated computer-readable media may provide non-volatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the computing devices. In some implementations, the memory  112  may include multiple different types of memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or ROM. 
     Memory  112 , removable storage, and non-removable storage are all examples of computer-readable storage media. For example, computer-readable storage media may include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Memory  112 , removable storage, and non-removable storage are all examples of computer storage media. Additional types of computer storage media that may be present include, but are not limited to, programmable random access memory (PRAM), SRAM, DRAM, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile discs (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by the server or other computing device. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. 
     However, in other embodiments, computer-readable communication media may include computer-readable instructions, program modules, or other data transmitted within a data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transmission. However, as used herein, computer-readable storage media does not include computer-readable communication media. 
     The communication connection or interface  128  may allow one or more of the sensors  104 A- 104 N, hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N, and tactile alert devices  108 A- 108 N to communicate via one or more networks  130  with a server and/or host computer  120 . In some examples, the one or more networks  130  may include any one or a combination of multiple different types of networks, such as cable networks, the Internet, wireless networks, cellular networks, and other private and/or public networks. The one or more networks  128  may comprise one or more private networks, public networks such as the Internet, or a combination of both configured to transfer data between two or more devices. 
     While the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  describes a server and/or host computer  120  with at least one program module, such as alert module  114 , one will recognize that certain functionality associated with the server and/or host computer  120  can be distributed to any number and combination of servers, or processor-based devices in accordance with other embodiments of the disclosure. 
     Various instructions, methods, and techniques described herein may be considered in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., for performing particular tasks or implementing particular abstract data types. These program modules and the like may be executed as native code or may be downloaded and executed, such as in a virtual machine or other just-in-time compilation execution environment. Typically, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. An implementation of these modules and techniques may be stored on some form of computer-readable storage media. 
     The example system  102  shown in  FIG. 1  is provided by way of example only. Numerous other apparatus, utility meters, systems, operating environments, system architectures, and device configurations are possible. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed as being limited to any particular apparatus, utility meter, system, operating environment, system architecture, or device configuration. While the embodiments of the disclosure shown in  FIG. 1  are tailored for a health care environment and facility, one will recognize the applicability of other embodiments of the disclosure to other types of facilities and services where sanitizing a person&#39;s hands and/or body may be needed. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a section view of an example hand sanitizing apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The hand sanitizing apparatus  200  of  FIG. 2  can operate in the environment, a health care facility  100 , shown in  FIG. 1 , and can include similar functionality as the hand sanitizing devices  106 A- 106 N also shown in  FIG. 1 . The apparatus  200  shown in  FIG. 2  can include a housing  202 , a sanitizer reservoir  204 , a sanitizer dispenser mechanism  206 , and a sanitizer output mechanism  208 , some or all of which can operate similar to comparable components in conventional hand sanitizing devices. The apparatus  200  can further include one or more tactile alert devices  210 A- 210 N, an operation sensor  212 , a cutoff switch  214  and associated input button  216 , a communication interface  218 , and an optional power supply  220 . In some embodiments, the apparatus  200  can include an external light  222 , sound output device  224 , and/or a vibration generator  226 . 
     The apparatus  200  of  FIG. 1  can be mounted to a wall or other fixture near or within an environment, such as a health care facility similar to  100  in  FIG. 1 . The apparatus  200  can be configured to be operable with and communicate with an alert module of a hand washing and sanitizing alert system, similar to alert module  114  and system  102  in  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, a modular-type alert adapter device  228  can include certain components, such as  210 A- 210 N,  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 , can be mounted within or to a housing of a conventional hand sanitizer dispenser, and can be integrated with components of an existing conventional hand sanitizer dispenser. In any instance, the apparatus  200  can facilitate providing active and/or passive alerts that may require active hand cleansing and/or washing in order to silence the alerts. 
     The tactile alert devices  210 A- 210 N of  FIG. 2  can be similar to the tactile alert devices  108 A- 108 N described above in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , one tactile alert device  210 A can include a light  222  mounted to an external surface of the housing  202  or apparatus  200 . Another tactile alert device  210 B can include a sound output device  224  mounted to an external surface of the housing  202  or apparatus  200 . Yet another tactile alert device  210 N can include a vibration generator  226  mounted to an external surface of the housing  202  or apparatus  200 . Each of the tactile alert devices  210 A- 210 N can be operable to communicate via the communication interface  218  with the alert module  114  and/or processor  100  of the system  102  shown in  FIG. 1 . Generally, each the tactile alert devices  210 A- 210 N can be activated when needed, such as when a person enters or exits an environment, for instance, a health care facility  100 . In such instances, one or more tactile alert devices  210 A- 210 N can receive a signal, indication, or output from the communication interface  218 , which may be in communication with the alert module  114  and/or processor  110  via at least one network  130 . Further, an alert from any of the tactile alert devices  210 A- 210 N can be ceased when needed, such as when a person operates the associated apparatus  200 , or operates the associated apparatus  200  for a suitable time or obtains a suitable amount of sanitizer from the apparatus  200 . In such instances, one or more tactile alert devices  210 A- 210 N can receive a signal, indication, or output from the communication interface  218  and/or cutoff switch  214 , either or both of which may be in communication with the alert module  114  and/or processor  110  via at least one network  130 . One will recognize that any number of tactile alert devices can be used with the apparatus  200  of  FIG. 2  in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
     The operation sensor  212  of  FIG. 2  can be sensor operable to detect dispensing of sanitizer from the sanitizer reservoir  204  and/or sanitizer output mechanism  208 , or manipulation of the sanitizer dispenser mechanism  206 . When the operation sensor  212  detects dispensing of sanitizer and/or operation, the sensor  212  can generate a signal, indication, or output, which can be transmitted to either or both the communication interface  218  and cutoff switch  214  for processing. In certain embodiments, an operation sensor  212  can be a motion detection device, motion sensor, face detector, identification device reader, and/or thermal sensor. In certain embodiments, the operation sensor  212  may detect the presence of a person, such as a person&#39;s hands, adjacent to the apparatus  200 , such as immediately below the apparatus  200 , which may be indicative of operation of the apparatus  200 . One will recognize that any number of operation sensors can be used with the apparatus  200  of  FIG. 2  in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
     The cutoff switch  214  and associated input button  216  of  FIG. 2  can be similar to the cutoff switch  117 A shown in  FIG. 1 . When the input button  216 , positioned on an external surface of the housing  202 , is depressed, the cutoff switch  214  can generate a signal, indication, or output, which can be transmitted to the communication interface  218 , or directly transmitted to at least one tactile alert device  210 A- 210 N. In any instance, the signal, indication, or output from the cutoff switch  214  can cease an alert generated by at least one tactile alert device  210 A- 210 N. One will recognize that any number of cutoff switches can be used with the apparatus  200  of  FIG. 2  in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
     The communication interface  218  of  FIG. 2  can be a processor or a communications-type device operable to communicate with an alert module or processor associated with a server and/or host computer, such as alert module  114  and processor  110  of server and/or host computer  120  shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the communication interface  218  can be operable to receive one or more signals, indications, or output from the operation sensor  212 , cutoff switch  214 , alert module  114  and/or processor  110 . Ultimately, the communication interface  218  can transmit one or more signals, indications, or outputs to the tactile alert devices  210 A- 210 N, alert module  114  and/or processor  100  as needed. In certain embodiments, the communication interface  218  can communicate via one or more networks, such as a  130  shown in  FIG. 1 , with the alert module  114  and/or processor  110 . 
     The optional power supply  220  of  FIG. 2  can be a conventional battery or other power generating source, which may provide power to any number of components of the apparatus  200 , such as the communication interface  218 , the one or more tactile alert devices  210 A- 210 N, and operation sensor  212 . 
     Thus, in operation, the apparatus  200  may be utilized sanitize a person&#39;s hands similar to a conventional hand sanitizing device. When a person enters or exits a monitored environment, such as health care facility  100 , the person&#39;s presence can be detected by the alert module  114 , and the alert module  114  can activate one or more tactile devices  210 A- 210 N associated with the apparatus  200  by transmitting a signal, indication, or output to the communication interface  218 . The one or more tactile alert devices  210 A- 210 N can generate a corresponding alert, such as emitting light from external light  222 , generating a sound from sound output device  224 , and/or generating a vibration with vibration generator  226 . When the person operates the apparatus  200 , such as by dispensing sanitizer or otherwise moving his or her hands adjacent to the apparatus  200 , the operation sensor  212  can detect operation of the apparatus  200  or the person&#39;s presence adjacent to the apparatus  200 . In some embodiments, the operation sensor  212  can detect operation of the associated apparatus  200  for a suitable time or when a suitable amount of sanitizer is obtained from the apparatus  200 . In any instance, the operation sensor  212  can transmit a signal, indication, or output to the communication interface  218  and/or cutoff switch  214 . In some instances, the cutoff switch  214  can be manually operated to cease the alert from the one or more tactile alert devices  210 A- 210 N. In any instance, the communication interface  218  and/or cutoff switch  214  can transmit a signal, indication, or output to the one or more tactile alert devices  210 A- 210 N to cease the alert. As needed, the communication interface  218  can transmit a signal, indication, or output to the alert module  114  and/or processor  110  to correspond with the status of the one or more tactile alert devices  210 A- 210 N, i.e., generating an alert and/or ceasing an alert. 
     The example apparatus  200  shown in  FIG. 2  is provided by way of example only. Numerous other component, device, and apparatus configurations are possible. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed as being limited to any particular component, device, and apparatus configuration. While the embodiments of the disclosure shown in  FIG. 2  are tailored for a hand sanitizing device, one will recognize the applicability of other embodiments of the disclosure to other types of hand sanitizing devices for sanitizing a person&#39;s hands and/or body. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a method for providing hand washing and sanitizing alerts can be provided. 
     In this particular implementation, the method  300  may begin at block  302  in which based at least in part on detecting a person entering or exiting an area, an alert can be generated. 
     In at least one embodiment, the alert can be delayed for a predefined amount of time. 
     The operation of block  302  can, in some embodiments, include the operation of block  304 , in which a signal is received from at least one of the following: a motion sensor, a face detector, an identification device reader, or a thermal sensor. 
     Block  304  is followed by block  306 , in which based at least in part on detecting the person sanitizing his or her hands, the alert is ceased. 
     In at least one embodiment, upon detecting the person sanitizing his or her hands before a predefined amount of time, the alert can be undetected by the person. 
     The operation of block  304  can, in some embodiments, include the operation of block  308 , in which a signal is received from at least one of the following: a hand sanitizer device, a soap dispenser device, a faucet, or a sink. 
     In at least one embodiment, the area can include at least one of the following: a room, an operating room, a patient room, a laboratory, a kitchen, a testing room, or a building. 
     In at least one embodiment, the alert can include at least one of the following: an audible sound, a light, a visual cue, or a tactile cue. 
     Block  308  is followed by block  310 , in which based at least in part on not detecting the person sanitizing his or her hands, the alert is maintained for a predefined amount of time. 
     Block  310  is followed by block  312 , in which a counter can be initiated to track a number of times a person sanitizes his or her hands or a timer can be initiated to track a time a person sanitizes his or her hands. 
     The example environment  100  and system  102  of  FIG. 1 , and example apparatus  200  of  FIG. 2  may perform any, some, or all of the operations of method  300  shown in  FIG. 3 . The above method  300  is illustrated as a logical flow diagram, in which each operation represents a sequence of operations that can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In the context of software, the operations represent computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or more processors, perform the recited operations. Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described operations can be combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement the process. 
     Illustrative systems, methods, and apparatus for providing hand washing and sanitizing alerts are described above. Some or all of these systems, methods, and apparatus may, but need not, be implemented at least partially by an architecture such as those shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . It should be understood that certain acts in the methods need not be performed in the order described, may be rearranged or modified, and/or may be omitted entirely, depending on the circumstances. Also, any of the acts described above with respect to any method may be implemented by any number of processors or other computing devices based on instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media. 
     Although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments.