CLEANLINESS MONITORING METHOD AND SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleanliness monitoring method for enhancing hygiene in a room or area of a facility, especially a hospital. After cleaning, the level of cleanliness is verified via real time biological and/or microbiological measurements using a hand held device such as an ATP luminometer. Until the desired level of cleanliness has been achieved, cleaning is repeated. Motion sensors determine the activity level of a room (such as a bathroom) and communicate enhanced cleaning needs centrally or to the hand-held device. The hand-held device can be a smartphone or tablet provided with an add-on module.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hygiene enhancing method for enhancing hygiene in a room or area of a facility and to a hygiene enhancing system for carrying out the hygiene enhancing method. Furthermore, the invention relates to a facility or building comprising the hygiene enhancing system and to the use of the hygiene enhancing system.

BACKGROUND ART

Many people consider cleaning an insignificant low status job with no development opportunities. Most people are taught how to clean by their parents, and people usually do it in their own homes. A trivial job which most people want to get done as quickly as possible.

This attitude is actually a very good indication of the focus we want to put on cleaning. Similarly, the daily handling of cleaning procedures in e.g. hospitals is deprioritised in favour of treatment, care and research.

Surveys show that 10 percent of all hospitalised patients acquire an infection due to inadequate hygiene. Hospital-acquired infections cause 3,000 Danes dying every year as well as more than 1 million sick days, just as inadequate hygiene places an economic burden on society of close to DKK 4 billion. WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that in Europe alone, hospital-acquired infections result in a total of 16 million extra hospital days, 37,000 deaths and cost approximately EUR 7 billion (WHO).

Efforts within the area of cleaning are in far most cases aimed at reducing the costs of the actual cleaning and at minimising the environmental impact of cleaning, and no one has yet been able to come up with technological solutions which create the necessary overview of the effort and quality of cleaning. Similarly, no one has applied technology in an effort to support the daily work of cleaning staff and to ensure that their work is continuously done so professionally that a spread of infectious deceases can be reduced.

Studies of the cleaning efforts made in Danish hospitals show that it is not possible to assess the value of the general cleaning effort in Denmark because the quality of the work done cannot be surveyed. This is problematic for several reasons, e.g.:

• 1) If the quality of the work you pay for cannot be surveyed, it is not possible to establish and maintain a serious national quality level of the cleaning effort.
• 2) If a target quality level cannot be established, it is not possible to make demands on an internal organization or external suppliers regarding their work.
• 3) If it is not possible to make demands on the cleaning you pay for on very specific and documented grounds, a desire to improve the effort will be aimless. A simple conclusion is that it is currently not possible to link the cleaning effort and the effect of same.

At present, no legislation dealing with this problem exists, which is presumably a consequence of the fact that no system exists for measuring and assessing the level of hygiene. Presently, conventional cleaning and control thereof is carried out on the basis of DS/INSTA 800 which is based on an assessment of visual cleanliness and not hygienic cleanliness. Consequently, the cleaning effort is generally not directed towards the non-visible illness-inducing microorganisms.

In other words, demands are made as to how clean a place must appear, but only limited demands are made in terms of assessing whether the place is biologically/microbiologically clean.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an object to provide a hygiene enhancing method and system which enables a higher degree of cleanliness than the prior art.

It is also an object to provide a method and system in which a person responsible for the hygiene of a facility may determine a hygiene level through continuous real-time cleaning and behaviour measurements.

The above objects, together with numerous other objects, advantages, and features, which will become evident from the below description, are accomplished by a solution in accordance with the present invention by a hygiene enhancing method for enhancing a hygiene in a room or area of a facility, the method comprising the steps of:

• cleaning the room or area,
• extracting one or more samples from predetermined surfaces in the room or area,
• performing real-time measurements of a biological and/or microbiological level of cleanliness of the one or more samples by means of a on-site hand-held device,
• comparing the measured level of cleanliness of the one or more samples with a predetermined biological and/or microbiological threshold for acceptable hygiene,
• determining if the measured level of cleanliness is lower than the predetermined threshold,
• cleaning the room or zones of the room having a lower level of cleanliness than the predetermined threshold,
• extracting one or more samples from the predetermined surfaces in the room or area having the lower level of cleanliness than the predetermined threshold,
• performing real-time measurements of the level of cleanliness of the one or more samples extracted from the predetermined surfaces in the room or area having the lower level of cleanliness than the predetermined threshold by means of the on-site hand-held device,
• comparing the predetermined threshold with the measured level of cleanliness of the one or more samples from the predetermined surfaces in the room or area having the lower level of cleanliness than the predetermined threshold,
• determining if the measured level of cleanliness is lower than the predetermined threshold, and
• continuing the steps of cleaning, extracting samples, measuring samples, comparing and determining until the real-time measured level of cleanliness for all predetermined surfaces is below the predetermined threshold.

The hygiene enhancing method may further comprise the step of communicating the level of cleanliness measured in real-time to a central control unit in order to collect data of the hygiene of the room or area being cleaned and/or of a cleaning operative cleaning the room or area to be used for enhancing the competences of the cleaning operative.

Moreover, the hygiene enhancing method may further comprise the steps of providing a position of the hand-held device by means of a positioning unit in the hand-held device, and communicating the real-time position of the hand-held device to the central control unit.

Furthermore, the hygiene enhancing method may comprise the steps of monitoring an activity load of the room or area by means of sensors arranged in the room or area, and communicating the activity load to the central control unit.

In addition, the hygiene enhancing method may comprise the step of arranging for cleaning of a room or area on the basis of the activity load of the specific room or area.

Further, the hygiene enhancing method may comprise the step of communicating to the hand-held device when the hand-held device enters a room or area having a high activity load to warn the cleaning operatives cleaning the room or area that additional cleaning of the room or area may be needed in order for the level of cleanliness measured in real-time to be lower than the predetermined threshold.

In an embodiment, the step of comparing may be performed automatically by the hand-held device.

The hygiene enhancing method may further comprise the step of communicating additional and/or strict cleaning procedures and guidelines to the hand-held device when the hand-held device enters a room or area having special cleaning needs, such as an outbreak of E. Coli or Clostridium Difficile.

Additionally, the hygiene enhancing method may comprise the step of providing cleaning procedures and guidelines on a display of the hand-held device to give the cleaning operative cleaning the room or area real-time access to the procedures and guidelines.

In an embodiment, the step of extracting samples may be performed by the cleaning operative touching each of the predetermined surfaces with a separate testing item, and the step of measuring the level of cleanliness may be performed by inserting each of the samples into the hand-held device or an add-on module connected to the hand-held device.

The hygiene enhancing method may further comprise the step of performing real-time monitoring of the consumption of cleaning detergents and/or cleaning articles.

Moreover, the hygiene enhancing method may comprise the step of performing real-time monitoring of the type of cleaning detergents being used.

The present invention furthermore relates to a hygiene enhancing system for carrying out the hygiene enhancing method according to any of the preceding claims, the hygiene enhancing system comprising:

• a transport unit with cleaning detergents and cleaning articles to be used for cleaning a room or area of the facility,
• a plurality of testing items for extracting one or more samples from predetermined surfaces, and
• an on-site hand-held device for performing real-time measurements of a biological and/or microbiological level of cleanliness of the one or more samples.

In an embodiment, the hand-held device may comprise a communication unit adapted to send and receive information.

Furthermore, the hand-held device may be a smartphone or a tablet.

In addition, an add-on module may be connected to the hand-held device, the add-on module being adapted to measure the level of cleanliness of the one or more samples.

Moreover, the hand-held device may comprise a camera and a processor, the camera and processor being adapted to function as a biosensor for detecting the biological and/or microbiological level of cleanliness of the samples.

Also, the hand-held device together with the add-on module may be adapted to function as an ATP meter or a CFU meter.

The hygiene enhancing system may further comprise a central control unit connected with the hand-held device and/or the transport unit.

In an embodiment, the level of cleanliness measured in real-time may be communicated to the central control unit in order to collect data of the hygiene of the room or area being cleaned and/or of a cleaning operative cleaning the room or area to be used for enhancing competences of the cleaning operative.

Moreover, the hand-held device may comprise a positioning unit, and the positioning unit may communicate the real-time position of the hand-held device to the central control unit.

Furthermore, the positioning unit may be a global positioning system (GPS) of the hand-held device.

In addition, the positioning unit may be based on WIFI-positioning of the hand-held device.

The positioning unit may also be based on RFID positioning.

Additionally, the positioning unit may be based on ZigBee positioning.

Additionally, the transport unit may comprise a positioning unit.

Also, the hand-held device may comprise a display.

Further, one or more sensors may be arranged in the room or area to monitor the activity load of the room or area and/or the consumption of soap dispensers, paper dispensers or disinfectant dispensers arranged in the room or area.

In addition, the one or more sensors may be connected with the central control unit.

Moreover, the central control unit may comprise a storage unit for storing data and observations received from the hand-held device, the transport unit and/or the sensors.

Furthermore, the control unit may send a message to the hand-held device when the hand-held device enters a room or area having a high activity load in order to warn the cleaning operatives cleaning the room or area that additional cleaning of the room or area may be needed in order for the level of cleanliness measured in real-time to be lower than the predetermined threshold.

Additionally, the central control unit may communicate additional cleaning procedures to the hand-held device when the hand-held device enters a room or area having special cleaning needs, such as an outbreak of E. Coli or Clostridium Difficile.

Also, the hand-held device may comprise cleaning procedures and guidelines accessible for the cleaning operative cleaning the room or area.

Moreover, the cleaning detergents may comprise flow meters/sensors, whereby the consumption of cleaning detergents is monitored.

Moreover, the cleaning detergents may comprise an RFID chip, whereby the presence of the specific cleaning detergents can be monitored.

Further, the predetermined surfaces may be the surfaces in the room or area which are most frequently touched by persons present in the room or area.

In addition, the transport unit may comprise a docking station or cradle for the hand-held device.

Furthermore, the transport unit may comprise a power supply for the hand-held device.

The present invention furthermore relates to a facility or building comprising the hygiene enhancing system as described above.

Finally, the present invention relates to the use of the hygiene enhancing system as described above for hospitals, day care centres, schools, institutions, public buildings, pharmaceutical companies, food industry, restaurants, offices, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which

FIG. 1 shows a flow-chart of a procedure for hygiene enhancement during cleaning according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 shows the transport unit of the hygiene enhancing system,

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the hygiene enhancing system,

FIG. 4 schematically shows different zones of a hospital,

FIG. 5 schematically shows the hand-held device and a sample being inserted into an add-on module,

FIG. 6 schematically shows how the hygiene enhancing system assists a cleaning operative,

FIG. 7 shows a lavatory of a hospital seen from the end of the lavatory room opposite the door,

FIG. 8 shows the lavatory of FIG. 7 in another view, and

FIG. 9 schematically shows a hygiene behaviour support system motivating persons to enhance their hand hygiene after lavatory visits.

All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of a cleaning procedure according to the present invention. In the first step 100, a room or an area is cleaned. When the cleaning has been completed, the second step 101 is performed, in which one or more samples from predetermined surfaces in the room or area is/are extracted. In the third step 102, a biological and/or microbiological level of the cleanliness of the one or more samples is measured in real-time by means of an on-site hand-held device. In the fourth step 103, the measured level of cleanliness of the one or more samples is compared with a predetermined biological and/or microbiological threshold for acceptable hygiene. As can be seen in the fifth step 104, if the measured level of cleanliness is lower than the predetermined threshold, the cleaning operative is sent back to the first step 100 to clean the room or area more thoroughly. The steps 100-104 are repeated until the measured level of cleanliness of all predetermined surfaces are below the predetermined threshold, and then, the cleaning operative continues to the next room or area to be cleaned, as shown in step 105. Hereby, it is possible for the cleaning operatives to carry out their cleaning assignments with a high degree of professionalism, and hygiene efforts may be continuously documented in real-time and adjusted by means of the hand-held devices available for the cleaning operatives on-site. Since the cleaning operatives check the biological and/or microbiological level of cleanliness in real-time and ensure that it is kept below the predetermined threshold of acceptable cleanliness of the actual room or area, the overall hygiene level of the room or area is enhanced considerably.

FIG. 2 shows a transport unit 110 of the hygiene enhancing system. The transport unit 110 comprises cleaning detergents 111 and cleaning articles 112 to be used for cleaning a room or area of a facility. In this embodiment, the transport unit 110 also supports an on-site hand-held device 113 for performing real-time measurements of a biological and/or microbiological level of cleanliness of the one or more samples (not shown). The transport unit may also have a plurality of testing items (not shown) for extracting one or more samples from predetermined surfaces in the room or area. The predetermined surfaces are the surfaces in the room and/or surfaces on equipment or components being present in the room or area which are most frequently touched by persons present in the room or area. The predetermined surfaces may e.g. be surfaces of equipment, beds, tables, toilet seats, sinks, door handles, walls, etc.

The transport unit 110 functions as a wagon having wheels 114 enabling it to be moved around in the facility to be cleaned. The transport unit 110 may be pushed by the cleaning operative 115 or it may be self-propelled.

In this embodiment, the hand-held device 113 is a known tablet having a touch display 116. Furthermore, an add-on module 117 is connected to the tablet, the add-on module 117 being adapted to measure the level of cleanliness of the one or more samples. The tablet 113 comprises a camera (not shown) and a processor, and the camera and processor are adapted to function as a biosensor for detecting the biological and/or microbiological level of cleanliness of the samples, and the tablet 113 together with the add-on module 117 are adapted to function as an ATP meter or a CFU meter. In other embodiments, the hand-held device may be a smartphone.

An ATP test is a process of rapidly measuring actively growing microorganisms through detection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a molecule found only in and around living cells, and as such, it gives a direct measure of biological concentration and health. ATP is quantified by measuring the light produced through its reaction with the naturally-occurring firefly enzyme Luciferase using a Luminometer. The amount of light produced is directly proportional to the amount of biological energy present in the sample. Thus using the tablet or smartphone with the add-on module 117 enables the cleaning operative to perform real-time measurements of the predetermined surfaces to evaluate the level of cleanliness.

Furthermore, the hand-held device 113 comprises a communication unit adapted to send and receive information. The communication unit may be a 3G/4G modem, or it may be the Bluetooth capability built into most tablets and smartphones commercially available today.

In addition, the hand-held device 113 may also comprise a positioning unit communicating the real-time position of the hand-held device to e.g. a central control unit for the entire hygiene enhancing system. The positioning unit may be a global positioning system (GPS) of the hand-held device, or again, the 3G/4G modem or Bluetooth capability of the hand-held devices may be used to establish the position of the hand-held device. In another embodiment, the transport unit 110 may comprise a positioning unit.

Moreover, the transport unit 110 may comprise a docking station or cradle for the hand-held device 113, and the transport unit 110 may also comprise a power supply for the hand-held device.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the schematic overall structure of the hygiene enhancing system 120. The hygiene enhancing system 120 may be used in one or more facilities or buildings 121. In the present embodiment, the facilities are three hospitals; A, B, and C. Each hospital comprises different rooms and areas to be cleaned, which will be described further below.

The hygiene enhancing system 120 comprises a central control unit 122 connected with at least the hand-held device 113 and/or the transport unit. The central control unit 122 is wirelessly connected with the different components, units, such as sensors 130, computers/servers, the hand-held device 113, the transport unit 110, etc. in the respective hospitals and may function as a cloud-based platform accessible for many different hospitals and other facilities. However, in other embodiments, the hygiene enhancing system may be set up for one facility only. The central control unit 122 may also comprise databases for storing information and observations as well as data. Furthermore, the central control unit may comprise an analysis module 124 and report modules for presenting the data from the database to relevant persons.

The hospital 121 consists of numerous rooms and areas which need to be cleaned frequently. The hospital 121 may be divided into several zones, such as administrative areas 125, bed wards 126, examining wards 127, operating rooms 128, lavatories 129, etc., as shown schematically in FIG. 4. These zones need different types and levels of cleaning and also may require different levels of cleanliness. By the present hygiene enhancing system, the cleaning of each zone may be optimised and scheduled in relation to requirements. Furthermore, sensors 130, such as passive infrared (PIR) sensors, may be arranged in each room section for monitoring and detecting movements of persons in the room or area. The PIR sensors 130 may be connected with the central control system.

Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 4, it is easily deduced that the need for cleaning may be different from room to room. For instance, the bed ward 126 does not need the same cleaning as the operating room 128 and the lavatory 129. In addition, a holistic system is provided for collecting key data regarding the hygiene effort in e.g. hospitals, on e.g. a biologic level. Furthermore, an overview tool is provided for assisting the management in enhancing the cleaning effort to minimize the spreading of infections.

Moreover, by giving the cleaning operatives direct access to hand-held devices 113 which may be used to perform real-time measurements of the level of cleanliness, these measurements may be a daily indicator of the quality of the cleaning. The measurements may be collected in databases so that the data can be analysed and compared to determine and validate the hygiene level in the areas of the facility, e.g. the hospital.

Furthermore, by using sensors 130 placed around the rooms and areas for establishing an activity load, i.e. “the human load which is exerted on certain areas”, such as lavatories, offices, etc., the cleaning efforts may be optimised so that areas with a high activity load may be cleaned more frequently than areas with a lower activity load.

In FIG. 5, the hand-held device 113 is shown as a tablet. The tablet has the add-on module 117, and a sample 131 is being inserted into the add-on module 117 for measuring the level of cleanliness as described above. The display 116 shows the user interface 132 enabling the cleaning operative to document the cleaning of the room/area. The data is communicated to the central control unit.

Accordingly, the hygiene enhancing system may be developed as an open source, cloud-based, holistic IT platform which is able to support all levels of e.g. the hospital organisation in review management, resource management and reporting tools, as schematically shown in FIG. 6.

The hand-held device 113 has a built-in positioning unit, which makes all interaction with the hygiene enhancing system locality-specific. In this way, it is always possible to tell where cleaning is being done, who is doing it, how they are doing it and how well.

All information relevant to the cleaning operatives is digitalised, including information on: procedures, guidelines, instructions, cleaning detergents/articles/equipment, safety at work, etc., as seen in user interface 133 in FIG. 6.

Thereby, the hygiene enhancing system is able to guide the individual cleaning operative through the cleaning procedure, e.g. in the lavatory 129, as shown in FIG. 6. The hygiene enhancing system also collects and analyses information on the working pattern, information enquiries and cleaning results of the individual operative and uses this as a basis for proactively supporting the operative with his or her competency development—i.e. decodes where extra courses and support are required.

All information is distributed via “push”, which provides for a unique advantage in connection with intelligent allocation of cleaning activities, including how cleaning operative are to react in emergencies such as virus outbreaks etc.

As mentioned above, the hand-held device 113 collects and analyses real-time hygiene measurements of e.g. ATP tests, visual inspections, fluorescent gels, microbiological tests, etc. in connection with all cleaning procedures, which results in the shortest feedback/response time possible. Particularly data collection and reporting of key data are essential.

The hand-held device 113 gives the cleaning operative 115 instant feedback on whether his or her cleaning meets the threshold level of cleanliness.

The hand-held device 113 keeps track of all detergents, articles and equipment on the transport unit 110 and notifies the cleaning operative when replacements and filling up are necessary, and ensures that cloths etc. are changed regularly.

The massive data collection associated with the “load monitoring” of the different areas of a facility, e.g. the hospital, will provide an opportunity to anticipate patient situations in terms of safety. This use of artificial intelligence where data processing and simulation are used to predict the consequences of certain actions or lack thereof may prove to be extremely useful for preventing spreads of infectious deceases through the indoor environment.

Key figure simulation allows the management to thoroughly test and streamline scenarios so that impact analyses of e.g. increased (or reduced) cleaning activity can be checked without having to perform real physical tests in the organisation.

Thus, by implementing the hygiene enhancing method and system according to the invention, the management and hygiene organisation may obtain the following advantages on a strategic level:

Cost Management:

• cost overview—price versus quality of cleaning service,
• key figure simulation

Quality Control and Quality Control Tool:

• overall view of quality of cleaning,
• reporting tools

Hygiene Readiness:

• overview of the total hygiene readiness of the organization,
• control parametres in case of virus breakouts,
• load rate (possible by connecting systems to ensure that the “hygiene readiness” in hospital areas is monitored).

Furthermore, the hygiene organisation and service management may obtain the following advantages on a tactical level:

Resource Overview and Management Tool:

• overview of staff,
• planning and allocation of cleaning (including use of load algorithms),
• mapping out hygiene levels and cleaning efforts,
• data collection and reporting to authorities etc.;

Quality Control and Quality Control Tool:

• overview of quality of cleaning,
• overview of equipment;

Competency Development:

• overview of employees and competencies,
• focused competency boost of the cleaning operatives of the organization.

Moreover, the cleaning operatives, in-house employees and external operatives may obtain the following advantages on an operational level:

The hygiene enhancing system digitises information directed at cleaning operatives to make it easier for the operatives to access relevant knowledge as required;

The hygiene enhancing system guides the cleaning operative through cleaning each room based on load rate and recommendations for the specific type of room;

Cleaning is quality-assured by:

• not allowing the cleaning operative to move on to the next room until high-risk points have been cleaned at an level of cleanliness below the predetermined threshold of high-risk points in the specific room;
• several types of controls are performed to ensure that the hygiene enhancing system is used correctly;
• automatically generated statistics of the cleaning (these statistics are used for analysing the need for cleaning and optimum use of the cleaning staff.)

FIG. 7 shows a lavatory 1, e.g. from the hospital, seen from an opposite end of the door 3. Inside the lavatory 1, different toilet components are arranged. In this embodiment, the lavatory 1 comprises a toilet 4 having a first sensor 5, a soap dispenser 6 having a second sensor 7 and a sink 8 having a water tap 9, the water tap 9 having a third sensor 10. The lavatory 1 further comprises a paper dispenser 11 having a fourth sensor 12 and a disinfectant dispenser 13 having a fifth sensor 14. Furthermore, the disinfectant dispenser 13 is connected with the closing mechanism of the door 3 so that when a disinfectant has been dispensed from the disinfectant dispenser 13, the door 3 will open. Furthermore, a passive infrared (PIR) sensor 40 is arranged in the lavatory 1. In this embodiment, the PIR sensor 40 is arranged in a ceiling 41 of the lavatory. The PIR sensor 40 is adapted to detect movement of persons in the lavatory.

Furthermore, a second PIR sensor 42 is arranged in the lavatory and is directed towards the toilet and a zone around the toilet 4, the second PIR sensor 42 being adapted to detect movements of a person around the toilet 4 in the zone. In FIG. 2, the lavatory 1 of FIG. 1 is shown in another view.

The basic idea of the hygiene behaviour support system 2 as described above in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8, and which may be an additional assisting system for improving the overall hygiene, is that users, by means of indicators, such as light, touch-free components and very simple written communication, is easily guided to good hand hygiene in connection with going to the lavatory. Further, the users will have their hands disinfected with a disinfectant, such as alcohol-based hand rub, before leaving the toilet lavatory 1, since the disinfectant dispenser 13 serves as a door opener.

Biological and microbiological measurements have shown that the surroundings in the lavatories 1 are contaminated and constitute a potential danger of contamination to the users. The hygiene behaviour support system makes it possible to use the lavatory without having to touch anything on the way in, during the visit and on the way out, presumably reducing the risk of infection.

Furthermore, the hygiene behaviour support system 2 is adapted to collect real-time measurements of the users' hygiene-related behavioural patterns when being in the lavatory. The hygiene behaviour support system also comprises a control unit connected with the sensors. The data collected from the sensors are processed in a storage device, a database, and subsequently compared inter alia to a number of developed scenarios of user behaviour. On this basis, the hygiene behaviour support system is capable of continuously defining the hygiene behaviour of each individual toilet visit, however always in anonymous form.

Also, the hygiene behaviour support system is adapted to collecting vital data from the various units of the system (soap dispenser, paper dispenser, disinfectant dispenser, water tap and toilet flush sensor). The collection of real-time data allows for the uptime of the hygiene behaviour support system—as compared to the uptime of non-monitored systems—to be considerably increased because the people responsible for the system are capable of monitoring and servicing the units before they run out of consumables and/or battery. Further, the maintenance of the system may—if desired—be placed with an external operator, and the servicing of the system may be planned in detail because of the close monitoring and data registration.

All of the above data collected on the storage device, server database, may be presented in display applications, hand-held devices (tablets etc.) as well as on smartphones etc.

In connection with the data collection and intervention of the hygiene behaviour support system, SMS notifications or similar short messages may—in the long run—be sent to relevant persons notifying them of desired intervention, e.g. “There is no more spirits-based hand disinfectant of type X in dispenser Y in toilet Z” or “The ideal level of clean toilet visits in toilet X has been exceeded by Y%.

The hygiene behaviour support system is based on a motivation mind-set and aims at involving the users in the maintenance of a correct hygiene standard and hence increasing their own health-related safety.

The display application developed is capable of displaying historical data about the hygiene behaviour exercised in the lavatories. As required, the various graphs presents data hour by hour, day by day, month by month or the like and compares these data with e.g. the same data set from the day, month or year before. In this way, the user is involved directly and urged to “compete” with himself/herself in improving the hygiene level. The hospital may adopt desired levels as reference lines or the like, so everyone can see the desired level. It has never previously been possible to monitor the frequency of hand hygiene in real-time, and consequently it has never been possible to determine desired requirements in this respect. It is epoch-making that it is now possible to discuss the level of hand hygiene and then allow for qualified interventions in order to increase the focus on this area.

Display applications may also be used to show all types of hygiene-related information and guidance from hospital staff and staff responsible for hygiene.

In the case of alarming conditions such as the outbreak of E. Coli or Clostridium Difficile, new guidelines for desired hygiene behaviour may be communicated via displays, and it may be measured directly whether the users embraces the new, strict guidelines. In other words, the hygiene behaviour support system may form part of the crisis response and support the management by the staff of critical situations.

The hygiene behaviour support system 2 makes it possible for a user to be able to “close” the lavatory for further visits, until the lavatory has been cleaned, if the user believes that the lavatory has been contaminated. The user has this opportunity both if the user finds the lavatory contaminated when entering the lavatory, and if the user—due to his health/condition—contaminates the lavatory himself (vomit, faeces or the like).

The server/database of the hygiene behaviour support system is prepared to be able to retrieve and process key data concerning the degree of cleanliness of the toilet by means of microbiological and biological measurements, etc.

As every lavatory is uniquely registered in the database, key data may be collected concerning other factors than hygiene behaviour and state of the units.

As mentioned above, a hygiene enhancing method has been developed for defining the degree of cleanliness by means of systematic process control, which allows for the determination and control of a desired level of cleanliness.

The biological measurements have been used to define the degree of cleanliness, and these measurements have been performed by means of hand-held so-called ATP meters. Since these meters may send their data to a mac/PC via docking stations, it is possible to collect measurements of degrees of cleanliness before and after cleaning and process these data on the server of the hygiene behaviour support system.

A solution has been developed in which these data may be transferred wirelessly, and then an ecosystem may be established with hygiene behaviour and an ideal degree of cleanliness in the lavatory or other rooms and areas of a facility.

If either alarming hygiene behaviour and/or degrees of cleanliness are detected (these numbers may in the long term be compared and possibly anticipate alarming situations), the lavatory can be closed down and cleaning performed.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of the hygiene behaviour support system 2, as described in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8, which may function as part of the overall hygiene enhancing system. The core of the hygiene behaviour support system 2 is the control unit 30, e.g a Netduino open source electronic platform based in a 32-bit microcontroller.

The Netduino 30 is a down-system connected with the toilet components, e.g. the sensors 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 40 in an embodiment via a central wireless transceiver 31, and then via a number of local, wireless transceivers 31 and PIC circuits 32 which are all installed directly in the soap, disinfectant and paper dispensers as well as by the water tap and the toilet flush sensor

Furthermore, the soap, disinfectant and paper dispensers are all provided with newly developed LED light sources, i.e. indicators, which—by means of pulsating light in a certain order—guide the users to performing good hand hygiene. Current is supplied to the local transceivers 31, PIC circuits 32 and guidance directly from the dispensers' own battery supply, and the extra current power consumption does not change the otherwise normal lifetime of the batteries.

The Netduino 30 is up-system connected via a wireless 3G modem 33 (connection may also be made via an existing Ethernet connection) to e.g. a Windows Azure database solution 34, i.e. the storage unit, which is a heavy open source cloud-platform. The programming language is based on .Net and is handled via NHibernate module 35. The code is in the cloud, which allows for system maintenance and development to be performed decentrally. In another embodiment, the code is present on the Netduino 30 so the overall security of the system is enhanced. However, system maintenance and development are to be performed locally.

Real-time key data from the hygiene behaviour support system 2 may be presented directly in a—especially for the system—browser-developed display-user interface. Hence, data from the system may be delivered to a locally installed display 36 in a patient ward, on which to display information about the current hand hygiene. Information thus flows to the service provider responsible for ensuring that consumables (soap, hand disinfectant, paper and batteries etc.) and to e.g. the hygiene units in the hospital being responsible for hygiene together with the heads of the various wards.

As all data about the state of consumables (paper, soap and hand disinfectant consumption) as well as the battery level of all the units are collected continuously, it is possible to prevent entirely that the units run out of battery/power or go out of operation. All data from the system may be passed on directly via an SMS service to the persons responsible for the cleaning of the lavatories and e.g. to the hygiene nurse in the event that the hand hygiene drops below the desired level

Furthermore, biological and/or microbiological measurements may be used to define the degree of cleanliness, and these measurements have been performed by means of hand-held so-called ATP meters 37.

By the hygiene enhancing system it is obtained that the person responsible for hygiene may determine a hygiene level through continuous cleaning and behaviour measurements, and with this knowledge at hand enhance, maintain and quality-assure the hygiene efforts in the entire facility or building.

Furthermore, it is possible for the cleaning operatives to carry out their assignments with a high degree of professionalism, and the hygiene efforts may be continuously documented in real-time and adjusted by means of the hand-held devices available to the cleaning operatives on-site.

The hand-held devices provides relevant information regarding position, cleaning procedures and guidelines, cleaning detergents, cleaning articles and equipment to the cleaning operatives for the specific area he or she is cleaning.

Furthermore, the hand-held device is adapted to be a tool assisting the cleaning operatives in navigating the huge amount of data and instructions/procedures so that their main concern—the cleaning—can always be done as professionally and efficiently as possible. In addition, the hand-held device may be adapted to collect key cleaning data and assist the cleaning operative in meeting the quality demands.

Thus, by applying the activity load measurements and systematic analysis of the real-time measurements of the level of cleanliness, it is possible to define the cleaning effort as intelligent and thereby create a quality scale for the hygiene effort.

Accordingly, the hygiene enhancing method and system provide the organisational levels (strategic, tactical, and operational) of the facility, e.g. the hospital, with a holistic overview and possibilities regarding the cleaning effort and the quality of same, and not least new possibilities of supporting the cleaning operatives in carrying out their assignments in the most effective and correct manner.

The hospitals and facilities thus have the opportunity to streamline their cleaning activities, not only on time spent, but also more importantly with focus on the quality of cleaning.

The hygiene organisation of the hospital or facility will be provided with the hygiene enhancing system, whereby corrective measures may be taken in situ, i.e. where the cleaning is performed and in real-time.

With the hygiene enhancing method and system according to the present invention, the cleaning operatives control and guide themselves each time they clean a room or area. In addition, the cleaning operatives will be provided with the necessary technologic assistance in the form of the hand-held device which provides procedures and guideline support during the cleaning as well as continuous reporting and a possibility to search for relevant information.

As mentioned above, the hand-held device has a positioning unit so that the position of the hand-held device is available at all time, and thereby, it is also obtained that the cleaning operative may be guided through how cleaning should be performed in that given area, both in normal circumstances and in circumstances where an outbreak for virus is discovered, in which circumstance all cleaning procedures will be tightened, and where the need for following the new cleaning procedures has to be communicated to the cleaning operatives immediately to minimise the spread of the infection.

Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1-36. (canceled)

37. A hygiene enhancing method for enhancing a hygiene in a room or area of a facility, the method comprising the steps of:

cleaning the room or area,

extracting one or more samples from predetermined surfaces in the room or area,

performing real-time measurements of a biological and/or microbiological level of cleanliness of the one or more samples by means of a on-site hand-held device,

comparing the measured level of cleanliness of the one or more samples with a predetermined biological and/or microbiological threshold for acceptable hygiene,

determining if the measured level of cleanliness is lower than the predetermined threshold,

cleaning the room or zones of the room having a lower level of cleanliness than the predetermined threshold,

extracting one or more samples from the predetermined surfaces in the room or area having the lower level of cleanliness than the predetermined threshold,

performing real-time measurements of the level of cleanliness of the one or more samples extracted from the predetermined surfaces in the room or area having the lower level of cleanliness than the predetermined threshold by means of the on-site hand-held device,

comparing the predetermined threshold with the measured level of cleanliness of the one or more samples from the predetermined surfaces in the room or area having the lower level of cleanliness than the predetermined threshold,

determining if the measured level of cleanliness is lower than the predetermined threshold, and

continuing the steps of cleaning, extracting samples, measuring samples, comparing and determining until the real-time measured level of cleanliness for all predetermined surfaces is below the predetermined threshold.

38. A hygiene enhancing method according to claim 37, further comprising the step of communicating the level of cleanliness measured in real-time to a central control unit in order to collect data of the hygiene of the room or area being cleaned and/or of a cleaning operative cleaning the room or area to be used for enhancing the competences of the cleaning operative.

39. A hygiene enhancing method according to claim 37, further comprising the steps of:

providing a position of the hand-held device by means of a positioning unit in the hand-held device, and

communicating the real-time position of the hand-held device to the central control unit.

40. A hygiene enhancing method according to claim 37, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring an activity load of the room or area by means of sensors arranged in the room or area, and

communicating the activity load to the central control unit.

41. A hygiene enhancing method according to claim 40, further comprising the step of communicating to the hand-held device when the hand-held device enters a room or area having a high activity load to warn the cleaning operatives cleaning the room or area that additional cleaning of the room or area may be needed in order for the level of cleanliness measured in real-time to be lower than the predetermined threshold.

42. A hygiene enhancing method according to claim 37, wherein the step of comparing is performed automatically by the hand-held device.

43. A hygiene enhancing method according to claim 37, further comprising the step of communicating additional and/or strict cleaning procedures and guidelines to the hand-held device when the hand-held device enters a room or area having special cleaning needs, such as an outbreak of E. Coli or Clostridium Difficile.

44. A hygiene enhancing method according to claim 37, further comprising the step of providing cleaning procedures and guidelines on a display of the hand-held device to give the cleaning operative cleaning the room or area real-time access to the procedures and guidelines.

45. A hygiene enhancing system for carrying out the hygiene enhancing method according to claim 37, the hygiene enhancing system comprising:

a transport unit with cleaning detergents and cleaning articles to be used for cleaning a room or area of the facility,

a plurality of testing items for extracting one or more samples from predetermined surfaces, and

an on-site hand-held device for performing real-time measurements of a biological and/or microbiological level of cleanliness of the one or more samples.

46. A hygiene enhancing system according to claim 45, wherein the hand-held device comprises a communication unit adapted to send and receive information.

47. A hygiene enhancing system according to claim 45, wherein the hand-held device is a smartphone or a tablet.

48. A hygiene enhancing system according to claim 47, wherein an add-on module is connected to the hand-held device, the add-on module being adapted to measure the level of cleanliness of the one or more samples.

49. A hygiene enhancing system according to claim 46, wherein the hand-held device comprises a camera and a processor, the camera and processor being adapted to function as a biosensor for detecting the biological and/or microbiological level of cleanliness of the samples.

50. A hygiene enhancing system according to claim 46, further comprising a central control unit connected with the hand-held device and/or the transport unit.

51. A hygiene enhancing system according to claim 50, wherein the level of cleanliness measured in real-time is communicated to the central control unit in order to collect data of the hygiene of the room or area being cleaned and/or of a cleaning operative cleaning the room or area to be used for enhancing competences of the cleaning operative.

52. A hygiene enhancing system according to claim 50, wherein the hand-held device comprises a positioning unit, and the positioning unit communicates the real-time position of the hand-held device to the central control unit and/or the transport unit comprises a positioning unit.

53. A hygiene enhancing system according to claim 45, wherein one or more sensors are arranged in the room or area to monitor the activity load of the room or area and/or the consumption of soap dispensers, paper dispensers or disinfectant dispensers arranged in the room or area.

54. A hygiene enhancing system according to claim 50, wherein the central control unit comprises a storage unit for storing data and observations received from the hand-held device, the transport unit and/or the sensors.

55. A hygiene enhancing system according to claim 50, wherein the control unit sends a message to the hand-held device when the hand-held device enters a room or area having a high activity load in order to warn the cleaning operatives cleaning the room or area that additional cleaning of the room or area may be needed in order for the level of cleanliness measured in real-time to be lower than the predetermined threshold.

56. A hygiene enhancing system according to claim 50, wherein the central control unit communicates additional cleaning procedures to the hand-held device when the hand-held device enters a room or area having special cleaning needs, such as an outbreak of E. Coli or Clostridium Difficile.

57. A hygiene enhancing system according to claim 50, wherein the hand-held device comprises cleaning procedures and guidelines accessible for the cleaning operative cleaning the room or area.