Incubator Traffic Light, a visual feedback system for correct hand hygiene at neonatal incubators

What is it about?

The Incubator Traffic Light is a hand-alcohol dispenser system (for hand disinfection) with visual feedback– comparable to a traffic light – aimed to support correct hand hygiene prior to touching a premature baby inside an incubator at a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). 
A prototype of the ‘Incubator Traffic Light’ system for neonatal incubators was developed; that is, a touchless alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) dispenser with integrated colour display and incubator door sensor with lights. The system provides visual feedback to support healthcare professionals’ compliance with the prescribed 30s drying time for ABHR. After 30s, green lights indicate that the incubator doors may be opened. In the event that doors are opened without dispensing ABHR or earlier than 30s, blinking orange lights and a display message urge the person to close the doors. The system documents compliance data in a web-based database
The Incubator Traffic Light was co-designed in an educational setting by researchers and students of the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences together with nurses, medical doctors, preterm infants development experts, housekeeping staff, and clinical technicians of the NICU of the Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children’s Hospital.


Featured Image

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash