The hospital Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Schwestern Ried in the Austrian Innviertel region has recently introduced cutting-edge hand hygiene technology, drawing attention at the entrance to its staff restaurant.
The PRAESIDIO® Fuel Cell is the first touch-free hand disinfectant dispenser powered by an integrated fuel cell — offering a practical solution to a long-standing issue. By generating its own energy, it eliminates the need for environmentally harmful batteries, combining infection prevention with a truly sustainable design.
The Hospital is among the first healthcare institutions to adopt this technology. Since the summer of 2025, the dispenser has been in use at the facility, which treats more than 140,000 patients each year across 18 specialist departments.
Sustainability Meets Infection Prevention
The dispenser has been installed in the hospital’s busy cafeteria area, where hundreds of staff and trainees pass through each day — an environment where hand hygiene plays a key role. The 1-liter Euro bottle provides ample capacity to handle high usage throughout the day.
Powered by its own fuel cell, the dispenser generates electricity from a small portion of the isopropanol-based disinfectant it dispenses. This self-sustaining process eliminates the need for batteries, significantly reducing both maintenance effort and environmental impact.
The PRAESIDIO® Fuel Cell’s innovative approach was recognized in September 2025, when it received the Purus Innovation Award at the international trade fair CMS Berlin.
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