IBM Case Studies OhioHealth: First-of-a-Kind network solution analyzes and improves compliance with hospital hand-washing protocols

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	OhioHealth: First-of-a-Kind network solution analyzes and improves compliance with hospital hand-washing protocols IBM

OhioHealth: First-of-a-Kind network solution analyzes and improves compliance with hospital hand-washing protocols

IBM

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics Networks & Connectivity - RFID
Applicable Industries	Healthcare & Hospitals
Applicable Functions	Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Personnel Tracking & Monitoring Regulatory Compliance Monitoring
Services	Data Science Services System Integration
Challenge	Every year, nearly 2 million patients in the US contract healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), despite the fact that proper hand washing can easily prevent these infections. OhioHealth, a nonprofit, faith-based system of hospitals and healthcare providers serving 40 counties around Columbus, needed a systematic way to monitor, analyze, and improve compliance with hand-washing and sanitizing procedures. The challenge was to find a solution that could provide real-time monitoring and analytics to spot noncompliance patterns quickly and implement remedial action to lower the risk of HAIs. Read More
About Customer	OhioHealth is a nonprofit, faith-based system of hospitals and healthcare providers. The organization serves 40 counties around Columbus, providing a wide range of health services to the community. As a healthcare provider, OhioHealth is committed to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene in its facilities. This commitment extends to ensuring that all staff members adhere to proper hand-washing and sanitizing procedures, which are crucial in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, monitoring and enforcing these procedures can be challenging, especially in a large healthcare system like OhioHealth. Read More
Solution	OhioHealth partnered with IBM to implement a first-of-its-kind network solution that monitors and analyzes compliance with hand-washing protocols. The solution uses a mesh network of wireless radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled readers or 'motes' mounted on soap and sanitizer dispensers. These motes collect data on hand-washing practices, which is then analyzed to provide insight into compliance levels among hospital staff. Noncompliance patterns are quickly identified, allowing OhioHealth to take remedial action and lower the risk of HAIs. The solution also includes the planned implementation of IBM Cognos Business Intelligence V10 for further data analysis and insight. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics

Networks & Connectivity - RFID

Applicable Industries

Healthcare & Hospitals

Applicable Functions

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Personnel Tracking & Monitoring

Regulatory Compliance Monitoring

Services

Data Science Services

System Integration

Challenge

Every year, nearly 2 million patients in the US contract healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), despite the fact that proper hand washing can easily prevent these infections. OhioHealth, a nonprofit, faith-based system of hospitals and healthcare providers serving 40 counties around Columbus, needed a systematic way to monitor, analyze, and improve compliance with hand-washing and sanitizing procedures. The challenge was to find a solution that could provide real-time monitoring and analytics to spot noncompliance patterns quickly and implement remedial action to lower the risk of HAIs.

About Customer

OhioHealth is a nonprofit, faith-based system of hospitals and healthcare providers. The organization serves 40 counties around Columbus, providing a wide range of health services to the community. As a healthcare provider, OhioHealth is committed to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene in its facilities. This commitment extends to ensuring that all staff members adhere to proper hand-washing and sanitizing procedures, which are crucial in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, monitoring and enforcing these procedures can be challenging, especially in a large healthcare system like OhioHealth.

Solution

OhioHealth partnered with IBM to implement a first-of-its-kind network solution that monitors and analyzes compliance with hand-washing protocols. The solution uses a mesh network of wireless radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled readers or 'motes' mounted on soap and sanitizer dispensers. These motes collect data on hand-washing practices, which is then analyzed to provide insight into compliance levels among hospital staff. Noncompliance patterns are quickly identified, allowing OhioHealth to take remedial action and lower the risk of HAIs. The solution also includes the planned implementation of IBM Cognos Business Intelligence V10 for further data analysis and insight.

Impact #1	The solution’s test deployment helped improve hand-washing compliance by 20 percent.
Impact #2	The RFID-based solution delivers compliance information to hospital administrators 100 times faster than the hospital’s previous surveillance methods.
Impact #3	The solution helps reveal patterns of and differences in compliance by shift, enabling the hospital to provide tailored remedial information and training to staff.

Impact #1

The solution’s test deployment helped improve hand-washing compliance by 20 percent.

Impact #2

The RFID-based solution delivers compliance information to hospital administrators 100 times faster than the hospital’s previous surveillance methods.

Impact #3

The solution helps reveal patterns of and differences in compliance by shift, enabling the hospital to provide tailored remedial information and training to staff.

Benefit #1	Improved hand-washing compliance by 20 percent.
Benefit #2	Delivers compliance information 100 times faster than previous methods.
Benefit #3	Lowered implementation costs by 10 – 15 percent.

Benefit #1

Improved hand-washing compliance by 20 percent.

Benefit #2

Delivers compliance information 100 times faster than previous methods.

Benefit #3

Lowered implementation costs by 10 – 15 percent.

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Overview

OhioHealth: First-of-a-Kind network solution analyzes and improves compliance with hospital hand-washing protocols

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit