BioVigil has released second generation of BioVigil hand hygiene monitoring system that enables hospitals to combat Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs) by increasing hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers.
Reportedly, hospital-acquired infections waste over $20-30bn each year, with as many as one in 10 hospital patients picking up a secondary infection while spending time in a hospital. Infections are particularly dangerous for patients recovering from surgery, with as many as 99,000 deaths per year in the US alone attributed to HAIs.
The second-generation BioVigil system incorporates badge technology and related sensors to effectively monitor hand hygiene compliance in hospitals. The system verifies the use of hand sanitizer in every patient’s room, and records compliance data in a secure database.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), hand hygiene is the effective way to combat hospital-acquired infections. As a result, 34 states have implemented standards which require hospitals to improve on hand hygiene.
Brian Sheahan, chief executive officer of BioVigil, said:”Our second-generation system solves the accuracy problems that are inherent in RF-based sensors. 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, then use hand sanitizer while approaching the patient’s bed and interacting with the patient. We have been able to design a sensor network which makes the system highly user-friendly and patient-friendly. The bright green and red LEDs embedded in the ID badge enable other healthcare personnel and even patients to easily see whether a healthcare worker is in compliance.”
Mr Sheahan noted that BioVigil has completed an IRB-approved trial with VCU Medical Center during September 2009, validating the successful operation of its second-generation BV-140 technology.