A Green Sling Innovation for Uro Drain Support During Ambulation

To assess the effectiveness of a low-cost, reusable sling bag made from discarded hospital linen for safe support of urobags and surgical drains during patient ambulation in ICU and ward settings.

1. To develop and implement a reusable sling bag made from cleaned discarded hospital linen for secure support of uro bags and surgical drains during patient ambulation in ICU and ward settings.
2. To evaluate patient acceptance of the sling bag using a structured feedback questionnaire following implementation.

A prospective, nurse-led quality improvement project was conducted in the ICU and inpatient wards of a tertiary care hospital. The study population comprised adult patients with uro bags and/or surgical drains who required ambulation during their hospital stay. A convenience sample of 20 eligible patients was included after implementation of the innovation.

The intervention involved designing and implementing a reusable sling bag made from cleaned discarded hospital linen to provide secure support for uro bags and surgical drains during ambulation. Nursing staff were sensitized regarding patient selection, correct application of the sling, and infection prevention practices. The sling was cleaned and reused in accordance with the hospital’s infection prevention and linen management policy. Where patients had multiple drains, two sling bags were used.

Outcomes were evaluated through direct observation and a structured patient feedback questionnaire assessing ease of ambulation, comfort, sense of safety, dignity, and reduction in fear of catheter or drain traction. Descriptive analysis was performed to summarize patient responses and assess the feasibility, acceptability, sustainability, and replicability of the innovation.

The innovation was evaluated over the implementation period among 20 patients requiring uro bag and/or surgical drain support during ambulation. Patient feedback demonstrated high acceptance, with 90% reporting improved ease of ambulation, 95% improved comfort, 90% enhanced sense of safety, 95% preservation of dignity and privacy, and 85% reduced fear of catheter/drain traction or spillage.

The sling promoted hands-free ambulation, reduced dependence on nursing assistance, and improved patient confidence during mobilization. The innovation was implemented without additional procurement cost, utilizing cleaned discarded hospital linen in accordance with the hospital’s infection prevention policy.

The initiative supported early mobilization, optimized resource utilization, reduced textile waste through reuse, and demonstrated a sustainable, environmentally responsible approach. Its simple design, ease of implementation, and adaptability make it suitable for replication across multiple clinical settings.

Initial challenges included designing a sling that was safe, comfortable, durable, and suitable for different drainage devices while ensuring compliance with infection prevention practices. Staff orientation and consistent adoption during routine clinical practice also required focused training and reinforcement. Strong leadership support from Nursing Services, collaborative involvement of frontline nurses, and continuous feedback from patients were critical to successful implementation. The use of existing hospital resources eliminated financial barriers, while integration with established infection prevention and linen management policies ensured safe and sustainable use. Simplicity of the innovation, ease of application, and staff ownership were key factors enabling successful implementation and wider acceptance.

Simple nurse-led innovations using existing hospital resources can significantly improve patient safety, mobility, and dignity without increasing costs. Incorporating patient feedback strengthened the intervention and promoted person-centered care. The project demonstrated that sustainability and quality improvement can coexist through responsible resource utilization and adherence to infection prevention standards. Leadership support, staff engagement, and standardized implementation were essential for long-term success. The innovation reinforces accreditation principles related to patient safety, quality improvement, infection prevention, and environmental sustainability, while offering a practical model that can be scaled and replicated across healthcare organizations.