RFID-Based Reminder System to Improve Infection Control Compliance

WHO Five moments of hand hygiene
WHO’s five moments of hand hygiene
Healthcare provider wearing RFID tag standing in close proximity activates the RFID reminder indicator and captures identify of healthcare provider
Healthcare provider wearing RFID tag, standing in close proximity, activates the RFID reminder indicator and captures the identity of the healthcare provider
Hand Sanitizer Holder with 3D printed base and embedded sensor for user’s pumping force
Hand Sanitizer Holder with 3D printed base and embedded sensor

Project Background

Adherence to the five moments of hand hygiene is required by healthcare professionals while attending to their patients. Poor hand hygiene may lead to patients being more susceptible to developing Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). Currently, hand hygiene adherence is measured through direct observation, which is labour intensive, expensive to administer, and unreliable. The SIT team aims to use engineering technology to improve the accuracy of the monitoring process, to encourage good hand hygiene habits. An RFID-based reminder system prototype allows documenting of hand hygiene practices, and is being tested for reliability and robustness.

The Team

Faculty
  1. Elaine Siow, Health and Social Sciences, Principal Investigator
  2. Assoc Prof Alfred Tan, Engineering, Co-Principal Investigator
Students
  1. Billy Chew, BEng Mechatronics, University of Glasgow
  2. Agnes Ho, BSc in Nursing Practice, University of Manchester