BioVigil releases hand hygiene monitoring system
BioVigil of the US has released the second generation of its hand hygiene monitoring system, which enables hospitals more effectively to combat hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) by increasing hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers.
The new system incorporates badge technology and related sensors to monitor hand hygiene compliance in hospitals. It verifies the use of hand sanitiser in every patient's room, and records compliance data in a secure database.
“Our second-generation system solves the accuracy problems that are inherent in RF-based sensors,” said Brian Sheahan, BioVigil’s chief executive. “An RF-based system does not have the accuracy and sensitivity which our system offers. We know with 100% accuracy when a healthcare worker enters and exits a location. Our system is simple, cost-effective and saves lives.”
In addition, the BioVigil system uses an alcohol sensor on the ID badge of the healthcare worker, so that a nurse or doctor can simply enter a patient's room and use the hand sanitiser while approaching the patient's bed and interacting with the patient.
“We have been able to design a sensor network which makes the system user- and patient-friendly. The bright green and red LEDs embedded in the ID badge enable other healthcare personnel and even patients to see whether a healthcare worker is in compliance.”
Sheahan said BioVigil completed an IRB-approved trial with VCU Medical Centre during September 2009, which validated the operation of its second-generation BV-140 technology.
Contact Joe Madden BioVigil T +1 707 508 9170 {encode="biovigil@comcast.net" title="biovigil@comcast.net"} www.biovigil.org