The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is rolling out a new artificial intelligence system to strengthen hand hygiene practices and reduce infections.
Proper hand hygiene is considered the most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections, which affect 5 per cent to 15 per cent of patients in developed countries, according to the World Health Organization.
The new Artificially Intelligent Monitoring System (AIMS) uses ceiling-mounted 3D infrared sensors to track handwashing and provide real-time feedback. “This technological platform is designed to help staff reduce the spread of healthcare-associated infections,” the MUHC said in a release.
Staff see a green light when they meet the 15-second protocol, or a yellow light and soft alert if they fall short. The system collects only anonymized data and “does not allow individuals to be identified,” emphasizing a “privacy by design” approach.
Installation is underway on the 15th and 17th floors of the Montreal General Hospital, with full deployment expected soon.
