PräBea: Innovative Feedback System for Hand Hygiene in Intensive Care

From 2020 to 2021, GWA Hygiene led as consortium coordinator the BMBF project PräBea, a pioneering project to improve hand hygiene in inpatient intensive care. The successful implementation and evaluation of the system was recently published in the renowned Journal of Hospital Infection.

Innovative Technology Combination

The project combined two advanced technologies:

1. NosoEx System

   • Proven hand hygiene monitoring
   • Digital recording of disinfection events
   • Data analysis and reporting

2. HyHelp Technology

   • Innovative ceiling-mounted sensor unit
   • Detection of entries and exits in the patient environment
   • Automatic compliance verification

Project Locations

The system was implemented at two locations:

BDH Clinic Greifswald

• Main site of the PräBea project
• Integration into the intensive care unit
• Complete system implementation

University Medicine Greifswald

• Predecessor project with HyHelp technology
• Important insights for PräBea
• Successful piloting

System Operation

The innovative monitoring system works on multiple levels:

1. Motion Detection

   • Precise tracking of personnel movements
   • Identification of entries and exits
   • Automatic documentation

2. Hygiene Monitoring

   • Verification of hand disinfection before entry
   • Control of hand disinfection after exit
   • Real-time feedback

3. Data Analysis

   • Automatic compliance calculation
   • Trend analysis
   • Scientific evaluation

Scientific Validation

The project results were comprehensively documented and validated:

Publication

• Journal: Journal of Hospital Infection
• Peer review process
• International recognition
• Full Publication

Project Documentation

• Detailed methodology description
• Evaluation results
• Implementation guidelines
• Project Website

Outlook

The successful completion of the PräBea project marks an important milestone:

• Validation of the technology combination
• Proof of practical applicability
• Foundation for further implementations
• Contribution to improving patient safety

The project demonstrates the potential of digital solutions for improving hand hygiene in intensive care and lays the groundwork for further innovations in this field.