An Isle of Man hospice has enhanced its bedside cable management by using the Cable Koala, a new magnetic cable tie from HellermannTyton.
Hospice Isle of Man had a growing need for cable management due to the increasing number of wires surrounding beds, but if not secured, these loose wires and cables were a trip hazard. There was also a risk of cables being damaged by beds’ wheels. The hospice quickly realised that solving this cable management issue also had infection control ramifications.
As part of the development of the Cable Koala, HellermannTyton investigated various options for securing bedside wires, cables and tubes, including the use of similar ‘hook and loop’ fastenings. The company said: “However, these materials’ rough texture provides a potential breeding ground for bacteria, so we designed the Cable Koala.”
The magnetic cable tie is made from a soft, flexible TPE material ‘that delivers a smooth surface, and is free from indentations, preventing the buildup of undesirable bacteria’. The result is a simple-to-use-product ‘compatible with the typical cleaning agents and chemicals used within healthcare facilities’, while the Cable Koala’s quick release design enables its re-use ‘time and time again once cleaned’.
