ZoDe

Challenge

Chest tube drain systems are a common but cumbersome part of patient care, especially when patients need to be repositioned or assisted with walking. Nurses often face a recurring issue: Chest drain bases are prone to tipping over. When this happens, it can cause fluid spills, equipment contamination and workflow interruptions, creating safety risks for both patients and caregivers.

Despite the problem being well known across hospitals, there was no standardized way to stabilize the base. Many nurses relied on improvised fixes like taping the drain to the floor. These temporary measures were far from ideal. Caregivers needed a simple, reliable way to prevent tip-overs and maintain visibility of drain measurements without adding extra steps to patient care.

Opportunity

That challenge caught the attention of Brad Hayes, RN, a Mission Partner on the clinical resources team at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center. Having cared for many patients with chest tube drain systems, Brad understood firsthand how easily the bases could shift, tip or obscure critical measurement markings. He saw an opportunity to turn a long-standing pain point into an innovation that could improve both patient and caregiver safety.

While completing a nursing innovation fellowship through the Nursing Innovation Lab, Brad partnered with OSF Innovation Studio to bring his idea to life. Together, they combined bedside insight with design expertise to create a stabilizer for the base that was practical, safe and easy for nurses to use.

Solution

The result is the ZoDe Device, a simple adhesive bracket designed for chest tube drain systems. ZoDe features a durable, lightweight base with a non-slip adhesive that secures firmly to the floor without leaving residue when removed. Its design not only prevents tipping but also maintains clear visibility of fluid levels, supporting more accurate monitoring and safer care.

Training is minimal. Caregivers simply place the device over the base and press to secure. Early testing at OSF hospitals has shown zero tip-over events, greater nursing confidence during patient mobility and reduced time spent repositioning or cleaning up spills. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, confirming the device’s value in improving workflow and safety. The device makes it easier and safer for patients to get around because there is no longer a need to tape the drain system to the floor. Previously, the lack of a standardized taping practice meant providers had to guess how much tape to use, how long it would hold and repeatedly unstick and reposition it every time a patient moved.

ZoDe is currently patent pending and in the final stages of prototype refinement. Testing is underway to identify the optimal adhesive formulation for various types of hospital flooring. The team is also exploring licensing and partnership opportunities to bring the device to market and benefit more caregivers and patients.

More than a stabilizer, ZoDe represents the power of frontline innovation at OSF HealthCare. It’s proof that when Mission Partners like Brad are empowered and supported with the right resources, ideas can move from concept to reality, making care safer and more efficient for everyone.