The SaniGator: Our Key to Infection Reduction in LTCFs

Arya Sedehi ● Eric Esposito ● Lubna RashidHealthcare Design of The Future Class (HS 8803) Fall 2011

Health Systems InstituteGeorgia Institute of Technology

The ProblemHealthcare 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 HygieneHand 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 SaniGatorOur 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 SaniGatorThe 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

ConclusionWe 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.