molecular makeup of urine could reveal how well the users slept, how much they exercised, how much alcohol or coffee they had recently drunk and which over-the-counter medications they had taken.


The scientists claimed the facility would be beneficial for the user since it could detect urinary tract infections, kidney disease, diabetes and other metabolic disorders before the washroom user displayed any symptoms of such ailments. This ‘smart toilet’ could even send the user's health information directly to their doctor so that early signs of disease could be tracked.


However, a number of concerns have been raised about such technology. The idea of sensors that can monitor the mood or hand movements of an employee has rung privacy alarm bells for obvious reasons. In the case of smart toilets, an employer could theoretically secretly analyse the urine of a potential employee to discover the details of his or her health and lifestyle.


Concerns have also been raised about ‘spy’ systems that are increasingly being used in hospitals to monitor the hand hygiene compliance of staff. In a recent study carried out at a medical complex in Bahrain, staff were given badges that were connected to sensor beacons which were placed above each patient’s bed.


These beacons were then used to map out the patient’s environment while the badges logged every hand washing episode carried out by the wearer. When the member of staff approached a patient, the badge would light red and vibrate to remind them that they had yet to wash or sanitise their hands.


Some members of staff showed resistance to the system, describing it as an invasion of privacy and considering it a pretext by the management to spy on them.


So can high-tech systems that monitor our health, whereabouts, productivity or hygiene compliance be justified? Or are such systems going too far and eroding our privacy and freedoms?


There is a strong argument for technology to be implemented with sensitivity in order to keep a balance between actual benefits and an unwelcome intrusion. And despite privacy concerns, there are often real benefits to be gained from monitoring systems.


Looking at the Bahrain hand washing trial, some employees were resistant to the technology and several staff members actually ditched their badges during the trial. However, it was an overall success with hand hygiene compliance increasing from 60% to 85% by the time the trial had ended.


Collecting user data from smart toilets obviously needs to be monitored to prevent the risk of privacy infringements. But such facilities could be invaluable, with some experts claiming they could be used to predict the onset of outbreaks before becoming a full-blown epidemic. If smart toilets could have predicted and curbed the onset of coronavirus, for instance, it would have been a massive advantage for us all.


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Staff-tracking schemes can also provide genuine advantages to employees and improve safety in the workplace, although again, privacy concerns need to be addressed. Meanwhile, technology is helping to improve hygiene and cleaning in public facilities in many other ways. For example, the frequency of washroom use and supply levels can now be checked remotely using Tork EasyCube.


This data-driven system frees up time that cleaners would otherwise have spent manually checking washrooms, allowing them to monitor visitor traffic and check


“There is a strong argument for


technology to be implemented with sensitivity in order to


keep a balance between actual benefits and an unwelcome intrusion.”


dispenser refill requirements via a smartphone or tablet. Tork EasyCube is now in use in airports, offices, shopping centres, amusement parks and other facilities all over the world. Virtual reality systems are also increasingly being used for training purposes.


We at Essity have our own cutting-edge virtual reality training simulation aimed at improving hand hygiene in healthcare. Tork VR Clean Hands Training and Education uses VR to provide healthcare staff with realistic scenarios where hand hygiene should be carried out. It’s easy to use and it helps to enhance the learning experience for staff.


Tork Digital Cleaning Plans are providing managers with a cleaning overview, ensuring that all tasks are completed and that nothing is overlooked. The software includes functions for planning, communication, administration and follow-up, and is designed to make cleaning operations more efficient.


Technology offers endless possibilities to the world – and the cleaning and hygiene sectors are no exception. The challenge to providers is to harness the amazing powers of technology and use it to improve health, hygiene and the efficiency of businesses everywhere – but without compromising the privacy of staff.


www.tork.ie TECHNOLOGY | 17


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