Patent Abstract:
A pair of sensors ( 20 A and  20 B) are mounted at the entrance to a germ sensitive area. When a person enters the area the sensors are activated in sequence, indicating the direction of movement of the person. An indicator, such as a light or sound alarm is mounted upon an antiseptic dispenser, located within the area. The alarm is actuated by the movement and is de-activated once antiseptic is dispensed from the unit. Likewise when the person moves out of the germ sensitive area, the alarm on a dispenser unit located outside the area is energized and is de-activated upon dispensing of antiseptic.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisional application entitled, “Hand Antiseptic Alarm,” having Serial No. 60/215,328, filed Jun. 30, 2000, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    The present invention is generally related to hand hygiene. More particularly, the invention is related to a system and method for alerting a person of the requirement of washing his/her hands when entering or leaving an area of probable contamination, for reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired infections, food handling contamination, and for reducing other situations in which the acquired contamination of a person&#39;s hands is likely to be passed to other personnel.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The incidence of hospital acquired (nosocomial) infection is approximately 8% of all hospital in-patients. Nosocomial infections are transmitted by direct or indirect contact between hospital staff and patients. Nosocomial infections are a direct result of inadequate hand hygiene by healthcare workers. It is widely recognized in the infectious diseases specialty that hand hygiene is the simplest and most dollar effective means of preventing these hospital acquired infections. Studies have demonstrated that enforcement of hand hygiene results in a roughly 50% decrease in nosocomial infection rate.  
           [0004]    However, hand hygiene is very difficult to enforce and compliance by hospital staff and visitors is uniformly lax. In 1997, an article in the  New England Journal of Medicine  studied the hand-washing rate by hospital staff. Even though the physician, nurses and other staff knew that they were under scrutiny, only 35 to 40% of staff washed their hands regularly in between direct or indirect patient contact. A similar study in  Annals of Internal Medicine  reported hand-washing compliance in 48% of nurses and 35% of physicians. More alarmingly, respiratory therapists washed their hands on only 12% of occasions, and radiology technicians only 8%.  
           [0005]    In addition to hospital staff and visitor hand hygiene, there is a need for improving hand hygiene in other public activities, particularly in commercial food handling and food preparation, for reducing the risk of contamination of food consumed by other people.  
           [0006]    Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to reduce nosocomial an other infections.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Briefly described, the present invention comprises a system and apparatus for alerting a person entering or leaving an area to clean his or her hands. The system includes a bi-directional sensor (e.g. a passive infrared sensor) having first and second sensors spaced horizontally from each other so that the movement of a person passing the sensor is detected and the direction of movement is detected. An alarm, such as a lamp or a sound emitting device, or both, is located on one or more antiseptic dispenser units located in proximity to the sensor. The alarms on the dispenser can be actuated in response to the detection of movement of a person passing the sensor. Activation of the dispenser unit (e.g. by depressing the dispenser lever) simultaneously dispenses an aliquot of disinfectant onto the individuals hands and simultaneously de-activates the alarm system.  
           [0008]    For example, when a person moves through the entrance into a hospital room where a patient is being cared for, the sensor detects the movement of the person into the room. Activation of the sensor causes the alarms on the dispenser to be actuated, alerting the person to decontaminate their hands. Once the person activates the dispenser lever, disinfectant is released onto the persons hands, and the alarm is simultaneously de-activated. In addition, or in the alternative, each sensor may be communicatively coupled to one or more dispenser systems. For example, one dispenser system may be located inside the room, while another dispenser system is located outside of the room. This configuration allows for hand decontamination upon both entry and/or exit of the room.  
           [0009]    Another feature of the invention is that an alcohol based aerosolized foam or antiseptic solution can be used to clean a persons hands. Alcohol based foams or solutions can be used without the need for a sink or basin. Therefore, this embodiment would avoid the need to have a nearby wash basin and can be used in areas that do not have a wash basin.  
           [0010]    Although a primary use of the invention is anticipated to be in health care facilities, other uses can be made of the invention, such as in food handling and food preparation facilities, where hand washing is desirable in certain areas. The invention can be used to demand hand washing before an event, as when the food handler enters the food handling area, or to demand hand washing after an event, as when a person exits a contaminated area.  
           [0011]    Another advantage of the invention is that the hand antiseptic system is designed so that it is applicable to use in all hospital room layouts. Further, the hand antiseptic system is bi-directional in that the system is capable of determining if one or more individuals are entering or exiting the particular area. Another advantage is that the hand antiseptic system is capable of sensing multiple targets (two or more individuals entering/exiting the area) and ensuring that each individual decontaminates their hands.  
           [0012]    Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the components of the hand antiseptic system.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a computer that is implemented in the hand antiseptic system as shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a room, such as a hospital room, that implements the hand antiseptic system that is shown in FIG. 1.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]    Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which liken numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the hand antiseptic system  10 . The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a bi-directional sensor system  14  and a dispensing system  16 . The bi-directional sensor system  14  includes, but is not limited to, one or more sensors  20 A and  20 B, a computer  25 , an alarm selector  22 , an alarm mode selector  24 , a low power light  26 , and an adjustment light  28 . The dispensing system  16  can include, but is not limited to, an audible alarm  30 , a visual alarm  32 , a dispensing detector  34 , and a dispensing lever  36 . The bi-directional sensor system  14  and the dispensing systems  16  are communicatively coupled  40 . Communicatively coupled  40  means that the bi-directional sensor system  14  and a dispensing system  16  can communicate information with one another. This communication can be accomplished via a direct wire connection or through an appropriate wireless communications system, both of which are well known in the art.  
         [0018]    The sensors  20 A and  20 B of the bi-directional sensor system  14  are each capable of sensing infrared energy, or other appropriate energy. The sensing of energy by the sensors  20 A and  20 B can indicate that targets are passing the sensors  20 A and  20 B. Generally, the sensors  20 A and  20 B can sense energy in areas that are usually horizontally spaced from each other so that as the targets pass through each area, the sensors  20 A and  20 B are triggered sequentially. The computer  25  of the bi-directional sensor system  14  logically understands the sequential triggering of the sensors  20 A and  20 B to mean that a person has entered/exited the particular area of interest. The sensors  20 A and  20 B include, but are not limited to, passive infrared sensors, photoelectric proximity sensors, photoelectric (“beam break”) sensors, laser sensors, electromagnetic sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and combinations thereof. Each of these sensors  20 A and  20 B can be bi-directional. More particularly, the sensors  20 A and  20 B can be Visonic CLIP 3™ sensors. These types of sensors  20 A and  20 B are well known in the art and will not be discussed in any more detail hereinafter.  
         [0019]    As shown in FIG. 1, the bi-directional sensor system  14  includes an alarm selector  22  and an alarm mode selector  24 . Generally, the selectors  22  and  24  are four-way selector switches that allow the user to select the functional setup of the bi-directional sensor system  14 . The alarm selector  22  allows the user to select the direction of alarm activation; alarm set for individuals entering the room only (A), exiting the room only (B), or both (AB). The alarm selector  22  has an arrow to indicate both the position of the switch and, in two settings, the direction of the movement that will activate the alarm. The fourth or down position of the alarm selector  22  is the “off” switch. The alarm mode selector  24  allows the user to select the nature of the alarm system; audible alarm only (X), visual alarm only (Y), or both audible and visible alarm (XY). The fourth position of the alarm mode selector  24  is the “off” position. Alternatively, the fourth position of the alarm mode selector  24  can be a position that connects to a remote location for alerting a person, such as an attendant at a nurse station of a hospital.  
         [0020]    In the event the system is battery powered, the bi-directional sensor system  14  can includes a low power light  26  (FIG. 1) and an equilibrating light  28 . The low power light  26  indicates that the bi-directional sensor system  14  is on and is low on power. The equilibrating light  28  indicates that the sensors  20 A and  20 B of the bi-directional sensor system  14  are adjusting to the energy (e.g. background infrared energy) of the particular area that the bi-directional sensor system  14  is located.  
         [0021]    The dispensing system  16  includes an audible alarm  30  and a visual alarm  32 . The audible alarm  30  indicates that the individual has not disinfected his/her hands. The audible alarm  30  can have various audible alarms, such as, an alarm for an individual or a group of people in the form of a “beep” or pre-recorded message. The visual alarm  32  indicates that the individual has not disinfected his/her hands. The visual alarm  32  can have various blinking modes for particular situations. Generally, once the sensors  20 A and  20 B of the bi-directional sensor system  14  have been triggered the visual alarm  32  is actuated first, then after a pre-determined period of time the audible alarm  30  is actuated. If the audible alarm  40  is not de-activated after a pre-determined time period, the audible alarm  30  is automatically de-activated by a timer to reduce disruption to the patient. Generally, one or more circuits are used to actuate the alarms  20  and  22  and these will be discussed below.  
         [0022]    The dispensing system  16  includes an antiseptic substance that can be dispensed via the dispensing lever  36 . Pressing the dispenser lever  36  dispenses an aliquot of antiseptic substance to a pre-determined location. The dispensing lever  36  can be a mechanically actuated lever system or a sensor actuated system. Mechanical and sensor actuation systems are well known in the art and will not be expounded upon here. Actuating the dispensing lever  36  de-activates the visual and/or audible alarms  32  and  30 , which are discussed in more detail below.  
         [0023]    Generally, one or more circuits can be used to interconnect the sensors  20 A and  20 B, the alarms  30  and  32 , and the dispenser lever  36 . One function of the circuit is to turn the appropriate alarm  30  and/or  32  on upon the occurrence of a particular event, such as a person triggering the sensors  20 A and  20 B by walking through the path of the sensors into or out of a particular area. Another function of the circuit is to turn the appropriate alarm  30  and/or  32  off upon the occurrence of a particular event, such as a person actuating the dispensing lever  36 . More particularly, upon triggering one or both of the alarms  30  and  32 , a gate in a holding circuit is closed, which connects a power source, such as a battery, to one or both alarms  30  and  32 , thereby enabling one or both alarms  30  and  32 . Alternatively, upon de-activating one or both of the alarms  30  and  32  by actuating the dispensing lever  36 , the gate in the holding circuit is opened, which disconnects the power source to one or both alarms  30  and  32 , thereby disabling one or both alarms  30  and  32 . One skilled in the art of electronics could construct numerous circuit configurations that function to operate the hand antiseptic system  10  and any circuit that can accomplish that function is thereby included herein.  
         [0024]    As indicated above, the dispenser system  16  contains a supply of an antiseptic substance or other appropriate cleansing foam, gel, or solution. One embodiment consists of a dispenser system  16  that can accommodate an alcohol based aerosolized foam (e.g. Alcare™ Steris Inc., or E-Z Scrub™ Becton-Dickinson) or antiseptic solution (CalStat™, Steris Inc.). This embodiment would avoid the need for a nearby faucet, hand-sink, or hand-dryer. The dispenser system  16  can be secured to a wall by screw recesses, doublebacked adhesive tape, or other appropriate attaching mechanism.  
         [0025]    One embodiment of the hand antiseptic system  10  includes a digital camera (still or moving) that is capable of storing an image of individuals entering or exiting the particular area of interest. If the hand antiseptic system  10  is utilized, the image is deleted. If the hand antiseptic system  10  is not utilized, the image is stored for the purpose of identification. Still another embodiment includes an identification system such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) system. Generally, the identification system functions to identify and/or track personnel. More specifically, RFID allows real time identification and tracking of personnel. The system consists of two basic elements: the passive transponder (the ID tag) and the reader. The reader emits a low-frequency magnetic field via an antenna. When a transponder passes within range, it is excited, causing it to transmit its ID code back to the reader. Transmission and reception can occur simultaneously. The tag is incorporated into the ID badges of healthcare workers entering/exiting the particular area of interest. This can also be used to identify individuals not utilizing the hand antiseptic system.  
         [0026]    The hand antiseptic system  10  may also include a “sleep” mode, which inactivates the hand antiseptic system  10  for a predetermined time (e.g. 30-60 seconds). A small wireless transmitter could activate the “sleep” mode. The “sleep key” is carried by a few individuals who enter the room, but never have patient contact (e.g. meal deliveries). This feature permits selected individuals time to enter the particular area of interest, perform their task (e.g. leave the food tray) and leave, without activating the alarm.  
         [0027]    Replaceable batteries can power the bi-directional sensor system  14  and the dispenser system  16 , which precludes the need for an external electrical supply. Alternatively a DC converter unit could supply a constant power source from a nearby AC electrical outlet.  
         [0028]    The bi-directional sensory system  14  includes a computer  25  to operate various functions of the hand antiseptic system  10 . The computer  25  shown in FIG. 2 may include a processor  50 , memory  52 , and one or more input and/or output (I/O) devices  54  (or peripherals) that are communicatively coupled via a local interface  53 . In addition, the computer  25  can be communicatively coupled to one or more sensors  20 A and  20 B and one or more dispenser systems  16 . The local interface  53  can be, for example but not limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections, as is known in the art. The local interface  53  may have additional elements, which are omitted for simplicity, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, to enable communications. Further, the local interface may include address, control, and/or data connections to enable appropriate communications among the aforementioned components.  
         [0029]    The processor  50  is a hardware device for executing software that can be stored in memory  52 . The processor  50  can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the computer  25 , a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a macroprocessor, or generally any device for executing software instructions.  
         [0030]    The memory  52  can include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.). Moreover, the memory  52  may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Note that the memory  52  can have a distributed architecture, where various components are situated remote from one another, but can be accessed by the processor  50 .  
         [0031]    The software in memory  52  may include one or more separate programs, each of which comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. In the example of FIG. 2, the software in the memory  52  includes the infrared sensor system  51 . The sensor program  51  is a source program, executable program (object code), script, or any other entity comprising a set of instructions to be performed.  
         [0032]    The I/O devices  54  may include input devices, for example but not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, etc. Furthermore, the I/O devices  54  may also include output devices, for example but not limited to, a printer, display, etc. Finally, the I/O devices  54  may further include devices that communicate both inputs and outputs, for instance but not limited to, a modulator/demodulator (modem; for accessing another device, system, or network), a radio frequency (RF) or other transceiver, a telephonic interface, a bridge, a router, etc.  
         [0033]    If the computer  25  is a PC, workstation, or the like, the software in the memory  52  may further include a basic input output system (BIOS) (omitted for simplicity). The BIOS is a set of essential software routines that initialize and test hardware at startup, and support the transfer of data among the hardware devices. The BIOS is stored in ROM so that the BIOS can be executed when the computer  25  is activated.  
         [0034]    When the computer  25  is in operation, the processor  50  is configured to execute software stored within the memory  52 , to communicate data to and from the memory  52 , and to generally control operations of the computer  25  pursuant to the software. The sensor program  51  is read by the processor  25 , perhaps buffered within the processor  50 , and then executed.  
         [0035]    When the sensor program  51  is implemented in software, as is shown in FIG. 2, it should be noted that the sensor program  51  can be stored on any computer readable medium for use by or in connection with any computer related system or method. In the context of this document, a computer readable medium is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that can contain or store a computer program for use by or in connection with a computer related system or method. The infrared system  51  can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, system, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, system, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be any means that can store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, system, or device. The computer readable medium can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, system, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a nonexhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection (electronic) having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM) (electronic), a read-only memory (ROM) (electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory) (electronic), an optical fiber (optical), and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) (optical). Note that the computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via for instance optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.  
         [0036]    In an alternative embodiment, where the sensor program  51  is implemented in hardware, the infrared sensor system can implemented with any or a combination of the following technologies, which are each well known in the art: a discrete logic circuit(s) having logic gates for implementing logic functions upon data signals, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having appropriate combinational logic gates, a programmable gate array(s) (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.  
         [0037]    The sensor program  51  operates various features of the hand antiseptic system  10 . The function of the sensor program  51  include, but are not limited to, determining if the sensors  20 A and  20 B have been triggered, determining the sequence that the sensors  20 A and  20 B were triggered, determining if the dispensing lever  36  has been actuated, determining the number of times the dispensing lever  36  has been actuated, determining the number of targets entering/exiting the area of interest, determining which dispensing system  16  to communicate with, and other operations that enable the hand antiseptic system  10  to function properly.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of the hand antiseptic system  10 . A sensitive area  60  (e.g. a hospital room or intensive care room) and a second area  62  (e.g. hallway or other room) are separated by a wall with an entrance  63  that typically includes a door  64 . The hand antiseptic system  10  can be used to ensure hand decontamination upon movement through the entrance  63  from one area to another. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the hand antiseptic system  10  includes a bi-directional sensor system  14  and two dispensing systems  16 A and  16 B. One dispensing system  16 A is on one side of the entrance  63 , while the other dispensing system  16 B is on the other side of the entrance. Other embodiments can include one or more bi-directional sensor systems  14  and one or more dispensing systems  16 . The bi-directional sensor system  14  typically is located inside the sensitive area  60  near the entrance  63  to the sensitive area  60 . The bi-directional sensor system  14  can be located on a wall, as is shown in FIG. 3, or located on the ceiling.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 3 also depicts the two dispensing systems  16 A and  16 B in two different areas  60  and  62 . In this embodiment, dispensing system  16 A is located in the sensitive area  60  and is used by individuals entering the sensitive area  60 , while dispensing system  16 B is located in the second area  12  for individuals exiting the sensitive area  60  and entering the second area  62 .  
         [0040]    Generally, the bi-directional sensor system  14  includes two sensors  20 A and  20 B (e.g. passive infrared sensors) positioned serially. Each sensor  20 A and  20 B is capable of sensing infrared energy in sensor areas  70 A and  70 B. An individual entering the sensitive area  60  passes through the second sensor area  70 B, which triggers the second sensor  20 B. Then the individual passes through the first sensor area  70 A, which triggers the first sensor  20 A. This sequence of triggering the sensors  20 B and  20 A indicates that the individual is entering into the sensitive area  60 . More particularly, the sensor program  51  of the computer  25 , based upon the triggering sequence, is capable of determining that an individual is entering the sensitive area  60  and communicates this to dispenser system  16 A. Conversely, an individual exiting the sensitive area  60  passes thought the first sensor area  70 A, which triggers the first sensor  20 A. Then the individual passes through the second sensor area  70 B, which triggers the second sensor  20 B. This triggering sequence of the sensors  20 A and  20 B indicates that the individual is exiting the sensitive area  60  and moving into the second area  62 . More particularly, the sensor program  51  of the computer  25 , based upon the triggering sequence, is capable of determining that an individual is exiting the sensitive area  60  and communicates this to dispenser system  16 B.  
         [0041]    The following is an example of how the hand antiseptic system  10  can operate when an individual enters the sensitive area  60 . This scenario would occur when a patient with indwelling devices, such as central lines, are uniquely susceptible to external infection from the hospital environment, and these individuals require protection from external pathogens. In this scenario, hand decontamination is required upon entry to the sensitive area  60 . The alarm selector  22  is set for targets entering the sensitive area  60 . The visual alarm  32  on the dispensing system  16 A is actuated once both sensors  20 B and  20 A of the bi-directional sensor system  14  are triggered by an individual entering the sensitive area  60  of a patient. Upon actuation, the visual alarm  32  blinks for a pre-determined time period (e.g. five seconds). More specifically, the computer  25  instructs the bi-directional sensor system  14  to communicate with the dispensing system  16 A to trigger the visual alarm  32  to blink for a pre-determined time period. The visual alarm  32  can be de-activated when the dispensing sensor  34  on the dispensing system  16 A is actuated. The dispensing sensor  34  can be actuated by triggering (e.g. depressing) the dispenser lever  36 . Upon actuation of the dispensing sensor  34 , the visual alarm  32  is de-activated.  
         [0042]    If the visual alarm  32  is not de-activated within the predetermined time period, the audible alarm  30  is activated to alert the individual to decontaminate their hands. The audible alarm  30  audibly alerts (e.g. beep or play a recorded message) the individual that their hands need to be decontaminated using the dispenser system  16 A. Like the visual alarm  32 , the audible alarm is de-activated when dispensing sensor  34  on the dispensing system  16 A is actuated. The dispensing sensor  34  can be actuated by triggering the dispenser lever  36 . Upon actuation of the dispensing sensor  34 , the audible alarm  30  and the visual alarm  32  are de-activated.  
         [0043]    The following is an example of how the hand antiseptic system  10  can operate when an individual exits the sensitive area  60  and goes into the second area  62 . This scenario would occur when a patient with active wound infections represent a potentially catastrophic source of cross-infection to other patients, and strict hand decontamination is required by all personnel exiting the sensitive area, to prevent spread of infection to other individuals. This is particularly important in the setting of infection by antibiotic resistant organisms, such as methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE). The alarm selector  22  is set for targets exiting the sensitive area  60 . In this scenario, the visual alarm  32  on the dispensing system  16 B is actuated once both sensors  20 A and  20 B on the bi-directional sensor system  14  are triggered by an individual exiting the sensitive area  60  of a patient. Upon actuation, the visual alarm  32  blinks for a pre-determined time period (e.g. five seconds). More specifically, the computer  25  instructs the bi-directional sensor system  14  to communicate with the dispensing system  16 B to trigger the visual alarm  32  to blink for a pre-determined time period. The visual alarm  32  can be de-activated when the dispensing sensor  34  on the dispensing system  16 B is actuated. The dispensing sensor  34  can be actuated by triggering (e.g. depressing) the dispenser lever  36 . Upon actuation of the dispensing sensor  34 , the visual alarm  32  is de-activated.  
         [0044]    If the visual alarm  32  is not de-activated within the predetermined time period, the audible alarm  30  is activated to audibly alert the individual to decontaminate their hands. Like the visual alarm  32 , the audible alarm is de-activated when the dispensing sensor  34  on the dispensing system  16 B is actuated. The dispensing sensor  34  can be actuated by triggering the dispenser lever  36 . Upon actuation of the dispensing sensor  34 , the audible alarm  30  and the visual alarm  32  are de-activated.  
         [0045]    The examples above illustrate how the hand antiseptic system  10  can be used for an individual entering or exiting a sensitive area  60 . Another example would combine the use of the hand antiseptic system  10  for both entering and exiting the sensitive area  60  in a manner similar to the previous two examples. This scenario would occur when strict isolation precautions are required for immuno-compromised patients, such as bone marrow transplants or other transplant patients. This scenario would require hand decontamination on both entry and exit to the sensitive area  60 . In this scenario the alarm selector  22  is set for targets entering and exiting the sensitive area  60 . The hand antiseptic system  10  operates in a manner similar to the previous examples except that once the individual who has entered the sensitive area  60  has de-activated the alarm  32  and/or  30 , the hand antiseptic system  10  resets the sensors  20 A and  20 B. The resetting occurs so that the hand antiseptic system  10  can determine when the individual is exiting the sensitive area  60  and appropriately alert the individual upon leaving the sensitive area  60  to decontaminate their hands. In another example where the sensitive area  60  is empty, with no patient currently being treated, the hand antiseptic system  10  could be inactivated by turning the alarm selector  22  to the “off” position.  
         [0046]    Another embodiment of the hand antiseptic system  10  provides the capability of determining the number of individual entering/exiting the sensitive area  60  and generating an appropriate visual and/or audible alarm  32  and  30 , which depends upon the number of individuals entering/exiting the sensitive area  60 . In general, if “n” number of individuals enter/exit the sensitive area  60 , then “n” number of visual and/or audible alarms can be activated. More specifically, in the event a single individual is identified, a single, repeating visible stimulus (“blink”) and/or audible stimulus (a “beep”) is generated. Alternatively, in the event that two individuals are identified, two repeating visual and/or audible stimuli are generated. The hand antiseptic system  10  can be further modified to determine the number of times the dispenser lever  36  of the dispenser system  16 A and  16 B is depressed. The computer  25  of the bi-directional sensor system  14  is capable of determining the number of individuals detected and the number of individuals having decontaminated their hands. The computer  25  then derives a “net” number of individuals that need to decontaminate their hands, and generates a visual and/or audible alarm  32  and  30  to indicate that a certain number of individuals need to decontaminate their hands. For example, if one individual is identified, a single actuation of the dispenser lever  36  can de-activate the alarm completely. If two individuals are identified, a single activation of the dispenser lever  36  can alter the visual and/or audible alarm  32  and  30  into an appropriate visual and/or audible alarm  32  and  30  indicating that only one individual still needs to decontaminate their hands. A second activation of the dispenser lever  36  can de-activate the alarm completely. A one-to-one ratio of people entering/exiting the sensitive area  60  and decontaminating their hands is therefore provided. In this manner, full compliance with hand decontamination by all individuals entering/leaving the sensitive area  60  can be achieved.  
         [0047]    Many variations and modifications may be made to the hand antiseptic system and method  10  without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the invention and protected by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6