Media Release Jul 30 2008

Manly Hospital invention set to make hospital stays easier and safer for seriously ill patients

A new device call the ‘IV Hanger’ will make transporting critically-ill patients safer, easier and quicker.

The ‘IV Hanger’ is the brain-child of Brett McPherson-Smith, a nursing assistant at Manly Hospital.

“I like to ‘invent’ new things to improve the care I give at work.” explains Brett.

Brett wheels critically ill patients in their beds from the Operating Theatre to the Intensive Care Unit with an intravenous (IV) pole in tow, rolling along on its own little wheels.

Imagine trying to push a shopping trolley and a baby stroller at the same time!

Until now an extra staff member was required to help by manoeuvring the IV pole to ensure it stayed close to the bed at all times so the administration of fluids and medication to the patient was not interrupted. The alternative is to transfer the equipment, monitors and fluids set up during surgery to a pole on the transport bed and then to another pole once the patient arrived in a ward at the end of the move.

Brett’s new ‘IV Hanger’ has simplified the whole process and eliminated mishaps.

The IV Hanger is a simple metal clip in two parts; one part is attached to a freestanding IV and the other part to the hospital bed. Once clipped together, the bed is raised, lifting the IV pole off the ground and making transport easier.

It is as if you are able to attach a stroller to a shopping trolley and raise the trolley basket, sufficient to lift the stroller clear of the supermarket floor. Now you can manoeuvre only one set of wheels up and down the supermarket aisles or, in the case of the ‘IV Hanger’ one staff member can push a bed and IV pole safely and quickly down the halls of a hospital.

This portable device can attach to any bed or pole and for more complex transits, multiple ‘IV Hangers’ can be attached to transport more IV poles.

It is cheap to manufacture and easy to use. There is a reduced risk to staff and patients as there is no transfer of medications and minimal manual handling

A pilot study is being conduced at Royal North Shore Hospital and the early response is great.

The trial will continue across Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service (NSCCAHS).

NSCCAHS owns the lucrative patent and is now seeking multi-national partners to license or purchase the patented ‘IV Hanger’.

And all because Brett McPherson-Smith wanted to do things better for his patients. As the old question goes, “why are the best ideas so simple?”

Media Contact: Emily Saker Tel: 9926 8313 Mbl: 0404 054 160

Authorisation Stamp