POOL NOODLE A foam swim toy corrals cords from sequential compression devices, preventing falls.

USING YOUR NOODLE
Pool Toys Safely Contain Stray Cords

The electrical cord that runs from the head to the end of the bed where pneumatic devices hang can be a safety risk. I know — at my old facility we had someone trip and fall before we found this creative solution. We bought several thin, brightly colored water noodles and carefully cut them lengthwise to the hollow center, so the noodle opened like a clamshell. Then, we positioned the cord in the center of the noodle using the slice we made, and placed the toy alongside patients' beds in pre-op and PACU. It corrals the cords off of the floor, and if the bright noodle happens to move out of place and become a fall risk, it's easily spotted.

Christy Lee, RN, BSN, CASC, NE-BC
CLL Healthcare Consulting
Centralia, Mo.
[email protected]