Medical line entanglement is a serious patient safety concern that can result in tragic consequences if not addressed properly. The US Food and Drug Administration published a safety communication in February 2022 regarding the risk of strangulation from enteral feeding delivery sets. This highlights the need for healthcare facilities to develop programs for managing risks of MLE and for healthcare teams and caregivers to discuss prevention methods whenever an at-risk patient is sent home with a medical device that poses a risk for entanglement.
A survey conducted by Cara Larimer, Vanessa Sumner, and Diane Wander revealed that while a majority of clinicians are aware of the risk of entanglement, few receive direction from their employer on managing these risks. Caregivers also reported that their child had experienced MLE, yet only 9% of those caregivers recalled receiving any education on MLE from their healthcare providers.
It is clear that hospitals need to be proactive in addressing this issue as soon as possible. One product that can help prevent the risk for entanglement is the Beata Clasp medical line organizer. This organizer can be used in hospitals and can also be supplied to patients when they are discharged, providing an additional layer of safety for patients who are sent home with a medical device.
Hospitals must take a comprehensive approach to address MLE. Policies and procedures should be developed to manage the risks associated with medical line entanglement, and healthcare teams should be educated on prevention methods. Caregivers should also be provided with education and resources to help them manage the risks associated with medical devices.
In conclusion, medical line entanglement is a serious patient safety concern that needs to be addressed by hospitals. The use of products like the Beata Clasp medical line organizer can help prevent the risk for entanglement, but a comprehensive approach is needed to manage the risks associated with medical devices. Hospitals must be proactive in addressing this issue to ensure the safety of their patients.
Larimer C, Sumner V, Wander D. Medical line entanglement: The unspoken patient safety hazard of medical devices. Nutr Clin Pract. 2023 Apr 19. doi: 10.1002/ncp.11000. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37076863.