Hose Management and IV stand

Visited a friend over the weekend. He had gotten an infection and after starting him at the hospital, once he was stable on the IV antibiotics, the insurance company moved him home with 4x day nurse visit and some supplies and so forth. This was a case where he actually liked this change since he is a rational person who hates hospitals, so it worked for everyone.

At the end of the therapy, he called someone to come over and pick up the nice stainless pole with the bag holders at the top and the knurled knob that allowed height adjustment and they told him that if the nurse did not happen to pick it up on her last visit, he should just throw it away. It cost more to pick it up than to replace it.

It was just sitting in his living room. looking forlorn.

So, I looked at it and immediately thought, "One hook to hang the hose from. One hook to hang the mask from during the day."

He said, "If you want it. take it! Please! I could not bear to throw it away, it was too shiny!"

After a short think time I thought, The hose won't fit into the loop, but could be hung from it with a strip of velcro or tape. That is how I did it - with a strip of Velcro to attach the hosr to the hook on the pole and the velcro clip to hold it to my shirt. This seemed to have less positional stress on the mask - therefore less chance of my movement causing a leak. I had previously been putting the

I've seen these items in thrift shops because they tend to get left in people's houses. Mine has two hooks - I've seen ones with 4 hooks on sale on eBay for under $30 with shipping.

But, anyway, I've heard of people doing a lot about attaching hoses to headboarda and I'm not using a headboard - and I prefer the hose coming from a different place. This might be a cheap hint that someone else can use.

Brasshopper,
I like your creativity! (I started to say you're "a real opportunist" but realized that carried a different tone. lol) Most health appliances are real reasonable at the thrift shops I've visited also. Who knows, if someone advertised on Freecycle if it's available in their area, there are probably IV poles languishing in basements with the owners just wishing for an alternative to the trash.

Other possible hanging material - Some styles of shower curtain rings are a possibility to use to hang from the loops at the ends of the IV pole to slide the hose thru.

What helps me (since I never thought of an IV pole) are those stretchy sheet corner fasteners that are a couple bucks at discount stores (as opposed to nearly eight bucks at department stores). The ends look like the oldtime ladies garter belt fasteners. They come four to a pack and can be placed at intervals along your sheets or pillowcases. They're priceless to me because that hose dragging across my neck in the middle of the night freaks me out.

P.S. - Seems most I've talked with who frequent thrifts shops know how to squeeze 9 lives out of items, and in surprisingly useful new ways. I once used an IV pole for a plant hanger - I agree, too unique an item to just discard. Your idea for hose management takes the cake. (Have to be old enough to have at least heard of the cakewalk to get that. I have a bad habit of using references to things that get me blank stares from the youngsters.)

Kathy

everybody knows you use an iv stand to hang laundry on. mine sat in my living room for a very long time. somebody finally convinced me to throw mine away. you should have come by, kteague. it was at my curb for the taking.

caroline

brasshopper:

no offense. yours is a fine idea. just too clinical for me. and make sure that hose doesn't go flying in the middle of the nite, taking the iv stand with it. those iv stands sometimes are not as stable as they look.

caroline

I was using a music instrument stand - at least to hold the mask and stuff. It really could not hold the hose.

I'm not running it at full height, so that makes it a lot more stable than one that is tall enough for someone to push down the hall while they are getting exercise in the hospital.

I tried pulling it over - the velcro released before the hose pulled the stand over. I am only using about an inch overlap of velcro.

IV Poles also make a great place to hang your mixed drinks from.

It doesn't spill when you've had to much, and it follows you around like a little rolling friend.

Not that I'd really know anything about that or anything.

Bingo

Sort of similar: I use a plain old oak hall tree from WaldoWorld behind my headboard. Not hospital looking and the three legs allows it to back up pretty close to the wall so it doesn't take up much space. the extra room from the wall allows me to clearly see the dust bunnys reproduce.

Other possible hanging material - Some styles of shower curtain rings are a possibility to use to hang from the loops at the ends of the IV pole to slide the hose thru.

Wow! I never thought of using shower curtain rings...great idea.

P.S. - Seems most I've talked with who frequent thrifts shops know how to squeeze 9 lives out of items, and in surprisingly useful new ways. I once used an IV pole for a plant hanger - I agree, too unique an item to just discard. Your idea for hose management takes the cake. (Have to be old enough to have at least heard of the cakewalk to get that. I have a bad habit of using references to things that get me blank stares from the youngsters.)
I've been getting a lot of those blank stares myself lately!

Kathy[/quote]

I've found a rubber band is great for attaching the hose to my hose hanger. It is cheap (the mail comes with one every day) and it can be easily adjusted, has some flexibility and compliance.

K