Oklahoma State University pair hope their device cuts hospital infections
SUSAN SIMPSON
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5
Published: June 27, 2009
An Oklahoma State University professor and student are developing a soap dispenser that uses recognition technology to reward hospital employees who frequently wash their hands.
Alan Cheville was awarded $31,369 from OSU’s Technology Business Assessment Group to create the dispenser, which he hopes to begin testing in hospitals later this year. Graduate student
Steven Welch, an engineering student from Choctaw, is helping create the device using
iPhone-like technology.
The dispenser reads a sensor in a bracelet worn by an employee, tracking how often they wash their hands. The device automatically will enter workers in drawings for prizes, such as movie tickets.
Cheville said he learned of the need for such a dispenser from his sister, a physician at the
Mayo Clinic in
Minnesota. She said hospitals are trying to cut down on secondary infections that patients develop while hospitalized.
"Even the lowest sheet changers in hospitals are supposed to follow protocol to wash their hands after leaving every room,” Cheville said. Instead of a punitive measure, he hopes the hospitals will use the device to reward workers who follow protocol.
"Hospitals are looking for the carrot approach,” he said. "The more you disinfect, the more positive reinforcement you get.”
Welch said the project shows how inventions have interdisciplinary uses. He’s an engineer, but the technology could be used in many fields, including medicine.
If licensed and patented, the device could be a moneymaker for the inventors and OSU.
Steve Price, director of OSU’s office of intellectual property management, said the grant funding allows researchers such as Cheville to take their innovations out of the lab and into the marketplace.
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Jenn, Oklahoma City
Aseptic technique is taught at every level in the medical community. Implementation of clean procedure is then left to each individual. There is no earthly way to insure every individual follows procedure. As long as there are human beings doing the work, there will be some that (cut corners). As a patient, you should if possible, be aware of the people that treat you and service the rooms. Most of all SPEAK OUT if they do not wash their hands before changing IV's or Dressings or Equipment and linens.....