Ecolab and Proventix Systems Form Alliance for Automated Hand Hygiene Compliance Monitoring

Ecolab Inc. has entered into a strategic alliance with Proventix Systems Inc. to use the nGage RFID (radio frequency identification) system to automate hand hygiene compliance monitoring for healthcare customers. The agreement with Proventix provides Ecolab customers with new options for their hand hygiene compliance monitoring initiatives.

Through imbedding advanced RFID technology into tags worn with existing healthcare identification badges, the Proventix nGage system encourages hand hygiene compliance without workflow disruption. nGage monitors 100 percent of hand hygiene events to provide reliable hand hygiene compliance data. The nGage system can also be used to support additional work flow functionality, including asset tracking and staff location assistance, to increase efficiencies and allow healthcare workers to focus on delivering care.

The Proventix nGage system integrates with Ecolab's existing line of products and dispensers. Together, Ecolab and Proventix are able to provide an accurate and integrated hand hygiene compliance monitoring program that provides infection prevention experts with real-time data about hand hygiene compliance. The detailed, real-time reports help tailor training and awareness programs and identify where specific interventions are needed to help drive improvement.

"Our customers have been asking for an integrated solution that provides a full range of hand hygiene products with a reliable way to monitor compliance in real time," says Paul Chaffin, senior vice president and general manager of Ecolab Healthcare North America. "We're excited that we can now meet their needs."

Hand hygiene is recognized as one of the best ways to prevent the spread of healthcare acquired infections (HAIs)1. Ecolab's products and service teams, combined with the Proventix monitoring system, address a number of barriers to improving hand hygiene compliance, including: products that are effective, but gentle to the skin; monitoring that does not interfere or add to a healthcare worker's daily routine; and reporting that provides compliance data at the individual, department and facility level.