Wireless Tag and Reader Module Design for AutomatedHand Hygiene Documentation and Reminder System inHospitals

Abstract

This paper presents a design of a wireless tag and wireless reader for the automated hand hygiene documentation and reminder system (AHHDRS). This system addresses the problem of healthcare associated infections mainly caused by lack of hand hygiene among clinicians and costs $35.7-$45 billion annually in direct medical costs to the U.S hospitals alone. AHHDRS works by creating ultrasonic hotspots with unique Identifier which can be ultrasonically tagged into the wireless Tag based on clinician's movement among hotspots. Correct movement of the clinicians with Tag among the Wash zone/Bed zone hot spots ensures hand hygiene compliance. Tag accumulates the compliance data and periodically transfers it to the wireless reader through 915MHz RF link. Wireless reader consolidates compliance data from Tags in its vicinity and sends it to hand hygiene server through Wi-Fi link. Hand hygiene server processes and reports compliance data and stores for future reference.