Arya Sedehi ● Eric Esposito ● Lubna Rashid Healthcare Design of The Future Class (HS 8803) Fall 2011 Health Systems Institute Georgia Institute of Technology

The Problem Healthcare acquired infections are a major factor leading to hospital readmissions, particularly for patients living in post-discharge facilities, such as Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCFs)

How Serious is the Problem? Statistics show that: 26-50% of hospital transfers from LTCFs are due to infections. 1.6 to 3.8 million infections occur annually in LTCFs. 600,000 patients from LTCFs are admitted to hospitals every year. The compliance rate with hand hygiene is less than 50% in hospitals, and even less in post-discharge facilities.

Key to Solution: Hand Hygiene Hand sanitation is regarded as the most common means of transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, hence facilitating the spread of infection. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, the most common HAI-causing bacteria Since compliance rates with hand sanitation are so low, how could it be enhanced?

The SaniGator Our Solution: The use of a motion-dependent, alcohol- based, hand-sanitizer spray dispenser to be placed above door handles in post-discharge facilities; the SaniGator. The Goal: To automatically sanitize the hands of patients and healthcare personnel upon entering any room in the facility, particularly patient wards.

The SaniGator Easily- replaceable sanitizer cartridge, lasts up to 340 sprays Cross sectional view of the SaniGator Detailed view of the interior of the device. Lid to close the cartridge cavity Battery Cavity, device requires 2 AA batteries to operate

Conclusion We believe that by using the SaniGator, compliance rates with hand-hygiene will be boosted, thus reducing the impact of HAIs on readmissions The device is portable, easily-refillable, inexpensive device, and an easy solution to the compliance problem.