Show HN: Soap Dispenser that ensures the CDC 20sec of hand washing (opens in new tab)

(soapnstamp.com)

10 pointsbbourn6y ago3 comments

3 comments

3 comments · 1 top-level

bbournOP6y ago· 2 in thread

Hi Hacker News!

My gf is an ICU nurse and challenged me to build a device that helps people wash their hands properly (I wanted to build a ventilator, but she said that wasn't super helpful....:(

This is my first attempt, it's a soap dispenser that marks your hand with a stamp that fades with at least 20 seconds of hand washing—the minimum time recommended by the CDC.

Very open to comments both constructive and commending! :)

dmlittle6y ago

I think the stamp will encourage the wrong behavior of scrubbing the spot where you got stamped.

My understanding is that it's not that you need to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and you're good to go but rather that if you're truly washing your hands thoroughly it will take you at least 20 seconds to do. Most of the time people don't fully wash their hands but just their palms, there's also your thumbs, behind of your hand, in between fingers, etc. There are few videos floating around showcasing how to properly wash your hands with gloves and paint. Here's a one I found on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbX0xwKORjk

bbournOP6y ago

Fair point, we've actually been thinking along the same lines. What if the bottle just lit up for 20s? And had the proper steps on the label?

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