This is a first, and I sincerely hope
that it spreads to other hospitals. SSM St. Mary's Health Center in
Richmond Heights, MO is the first to use the Biovigil hand washing
technology in practice. “The collaborative test phase for the
system, developed by Biovigil Hygiene Technologies in Ann Arbor,
Mich., began last June at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center (the only
test site to date). A tiny computer and built-in sensor technology
in the badge detects chemical vapors from alcohol-based hand washing
solutions used throughout the hospital (think of it as a tiny smoke
detector designed to detect clean hands). In or out of a patient’s
room, the badge cycles through a series of color changes from green
to flashing yellow to flashing red. Green means clean. To return the
badge to the green (clean) status, a staff member simply places their
sanitized hands close to the badge as they are drying – proudly
called “pledging the badge.” Each “pledge” is recorded
electronically via a web-based information system.”
It is a shame that more hospitals are
not stepping up and at least trying this technology. Apparently the
hospitals in the St. Louis area will be next if the results continue
as expected. SSM St. Mary's Health Center is claiming, “Staff
hand-washing compliance on two test units at the hospital are now
routinely maintained near 100 percent (99% and 97%), a level never
before attained by a hospital, especially with this type of
visibility and precision.”
““The ‘holy grail’ of
infection prevention is in our grasp,” said Dr. Morey Gardner, an
infectious disease specialist and SSM St. Mary’s Health Center
director of infection disease and infection prevention.”
Bold claims, but still within reach if
this is successful on more hospital staff to include doctors and
administration personnel who are lax in hand washing. The fact that
this is a teaching hospital with two residency programs should be a
great way to spread this technology to other hospitals and practices.
If it is successful, the next consideration will be cost and this
has not been disclosed. Yet, anything that will prevent the spread
of infection makes cost a minor concern especially with more strains
of MRSA appearing in the USA.
Please read more about this at SSM St.
Mary's and at the Biovigil Hygiene Technologies in Ann Arbor, Mich –
here.
This is very interesting, Bob. Of course, it comes out of Ann Arbor - the incubator for all things tech-savvy outside of Silicon Valley! Anyhow, I'll be interested to see how this goes more mainstream. Seems like such an easy thing. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteI have some reservations, but until I am able to see it in action, I'll hold my peace. The principle is great and I can see the need.
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