Safepole: Redefining the Hospital IV Pole

Improving Patient Experience and Efficiency in Healthcare

For about a century, the format of IV poles has remained relatively unchanged. However, the Safepole design aims to better solve ambulatory patients' problems, such as unsteadiness while walking, tangled cords and tubes, and general encumbrance from the device.

By empowering patients to perform tasks that normally require assistance, the Safepole design offers significant improvements for both patients and hospitals. The increased base stability encourages ambulation, speeding up recovery and reducing bed sores. The design features dual poles that hold twice as many infusion pumps, a domed wheel base that prevents cord tangling, and additional features such as telescoping poles, an IV tube router, an on-board power strip, and an oxygen tank holder to help busy nurses efficiently do their job.

The Safepole is made using heavy-duty ABS plastic, stainless steel, and noise-reducing rubber wheels. With a base diameter of 600 mm, it can extend up to 2133 mm tall. The design also incorporates UL-approved, hospital-grade electrical components to ensure safety and reliability.

Ugent, a journalist and author, conducted extensive interviews with doctors and nurses as part of the design research process. The overwhelming response highlighted the need for improvements in IV pole design to prevent accidents and enhance patient mobility. Combined with her own experience as a stem cell transplant patient, this research provided valuable insights from various perspectives.

One of the main challenges faced by the design team was meeting and surpassing stringent medical standards while addressing common issues experienced by patients, such as tangled cords, falls, and difficulty moving in cramped hospital rooms. By creating a design that is less of an encumbrance, patients are more likely to get up and move, which speeds up recovery and prevents common side effects like bed sores and pneumonia.

The Safepole design has been recognized for its innovation and practicality. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Medical Devices and Medical Equipment Design category in 2014. This prestigious award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The Safepole design integrates industry best practices and competent technical characteristics, providing fulfillment and positive feelings, ultimately contributing to a better world.