Irisys Handwash Monitor
The client, Irisys is the world leader in infrared sensors for people counting and in June 2009 they were awarded the first phase of a two phase contract by the Department of Health to investigate the application of their technology for monitoring hand hygiene compliance in hospital wards.
The client had a six month deadline from the Department to complete the first phase of the project. Their R&D staff were heavily committed to ongoing projects in the clients existing sectors. This made it necessary to recruit staff to help fulfill the project and the project timescales precluded the recruitment of a permanent member of staff.
Opus21 had been involved previously with two projects for Irisys and so we had some of the background knowledge of the technology to assist in the fulfillment of the project. In the event a significant part of the first phase was taken up with literature search and with developing a better understanding of the market in order to build a knowledge base for the rest of the project. This involved legwork, going to seminars identifying and meeting individuals within the various parts of the NHS and the healthcare industry that could assist the project. It also involved making contacts within hospitals, the Primary Care Trusts, Strategic Health Authorities, as well as the various NHS research bodies and professional organizations.
In parallel with this work we developed contacts with suppliers to the NHS of soaps and gels and of hardware, in order to develop a better understanding of how the market might be exploited. The work culminated in assisting in the writing of the final report for the first phase and the application for the second phase.
In January 2010 the client submitted the final report and second phase application. This phase was finally awarded at the start of 2011 and the project is underway to develop their technology further for the monitoring of hand hygiene and with the objective of developing products that will drive improvements the Department of Health are looking for and that will be saleable within the NHS and more generally in the Healthcare sector.
5 December 2011