AIDA board members heard a presentation on Monday from HandGiene Corp. of New Jersey, who are considering Amsterdam as a location to build a customer service and distribution center. Richard Verdiramo, marketing consultant for the company, explained how the business uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to track hand washing compliance in hospitals, restaurants, or other facilities where sanitary conditions are required.
According to Verdiramo, their system utilizes RFID cards that are worn by the employees of the facility. A sensor within the hand soap/sanitizer dispenser detects when an employee uses it and stays in the vicinity. The information is recorded in a database and can be used by administrators to make sure employees are adhering to the facility’s hand washing rules. Verdiramo said the system has the potential to reduce healthcare-associated infections in hospitals by potentially doubling compliance to hand hygiene policies.
The company has tested the system in several restaurants, including the former Crystal Bar in Amsterdam and is now looking for approximately $2 million in startup funding to begin large-scale operations. Vincent Verdiramo, inventor of the system, said that there is a large demand for the system, and claimed several large companies are interested in ordering.
According to AIDA Economic Development Assistant Cheryl Sweet, the only property within the city that could accommodate the proposed facility, which is projected to utilize up to 10,000 to 25,000 square feet, is the former Mohasco property on Forest Ave.
AIDA board members questioned the company’s representatives on their businesses plan and agreed to further talks with the company to determine exactly what type of grants, loans, or other programs might be available.
