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HomeGrown Solution: Low Noise Air Source for Headboard

Title

Low Noise Air Source for Headboard

Submitted By

Donald Aliprandi, CHSOS

HomeGrown Solution Number

328

Identification of the Problem

The headwalls in our simulation lab use an air compressor to create air and suction that are controlled by a ticking timer switch. The sound of the compressor was loud on recordings, made it difficult for students to communicate, and the ticking sound of the timer was disturbing and increased student anxiety.

Unique Idea

The idea was to use an alternate source of air for the to increase realism using an aquarium pump.

Objectives

  • Have a usable air source to increase realism during simulation by:
  1. actually setting the O2 flow level
  2. hearing air flow
  3. seeing the bag inflate when oxygen was administered to the patient
  • Reduce the sound level of the air source
  • Reduce student anxiety

Supplies/Ingredients

  • Aquarium pump: Hygger 10W 16LPM - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y8CHXTL
  • Tubing: 17/100" (0.170", 4.32mm) ID x 1/4" (0.25", 6.35mm) OD - Menards, but probably available and any home improvement store.
  • WATTS Brass Hose Barb LFA-85 1/8" ID x 1/4" OD in MIP - Menards, but probably available and any home improvement store.
  • T-connector - Walmart. (Aqua Culture brand.)
  • Teflon tape
  • Phillips #2 screwdriver
  • Medium-sized flat blade screwdriver
  • Drill with 1/4" drill bit
  • Adjustable wrench

Steps to Creating the Solution

  • Remove top portion of headboard by removing screw covers and screws.
  • Remove vent on top of headboard (indicated by blue arrow) by prying to tabs with the flat blade screwdriver. Open one of the holes to 1/4" inch using the drill and 1/4" drill bit.
  • Cut two 5" pieces of tubing and one piece 24" long.
  • Push the two pieces of 5" tubing onto the T-connector, one on the side and one one the bottom. Connect the other ends of the tubing to the aquarium pump. (See orange arrows on photo.)
  • Push about 4" of the long tubing up through the bottom of the vent. Place the vent on the top of headboard and feed the long end of the tubing into the head board. *Do not secure the vent yet.*
  • Inside the headboard, route tubing through any internal holes to the area designate by the lime green circle in the photo. *Do not secure to other cables/tubing yet.*
  • Push on the brass hose barb to the end of the tubing. Wrap Teflon tape on the threads of the brass hose barb.
  • Using the adjustable wrench, remove the air hose from the compressor to the copper tubing, then connect the hose barb to the copper tubing. The clear tubing and vent may need to spin as the barb is tightened.
  • Unkink any twists in the clear tubing then secure the vent into the headboard. Secure tubing if desired. Connect loose end of the tubing out of the vent to other empty side of T-connector.
  • To use, turn aquarium pump to max, and plug pump into outlet.

Images

Hospital bed headboard with vent removed indicated by blue arrow. Orange arrows point to two pieces of 5" tubing onto the T-connector. A green circle indicates where where tubing needs to be routed through internal holes in the headboard.

Video

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