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ECG Comb
Share PrintImagine setting up an ECG without the usual mess of tangled wires and hard-to-read labels. The ECG Comb makes that vision a reality—keeping leads neatly separated, clearly labeled, and always ready to go. Once attached, this 3D printed device stays on the machine, sliding effortlessly up and down the cords like a comb through hair. It’s a simple, easy to clean, gravity-powered solution that saves time, reduces frustration, and helps VA teams deliver faster cardiac care to Veterans.
Adoptions:
1 successful
Awards and Recognition:
iNet Spark Award Investee
Recent Updates
Overview
Problem
From Nurse Assistants to Physicians, the Electrocardiogram (ECG) is crucial for assessing heart health across VA facilities. However, clinicians face a time consuming task: untangling 12 long ECG wires and deciphering unclear labels. At the Salt Lake City VA, setup delays care by up to 3 minutes per test. Tangled cords also complicate cleaning, affect workfl
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From Nurse Assistants to Physicians, the Electrocardiogram (ECG) is crucial for assessing heart health across VA facilities. However, clinicians face a time consuming task: untangling 12 long ECG wires and deciphering unclear labels. At the Salt Lake City VA, setup delays care by up to 3 minutes per test. Tangled cords also complicate cleaning, affect workflow, maintenance, and ultimately Veteran care.
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Images
ECG Machine with Tangled Cords
Solution
The ECG Comb is a device that prevents tangled, hard-to-read ECG leads by keeping wires separated and labeled. This speeds up setup, simplifies cleaning, and protects equipment. Designed by a nurse, 90% of caregivers rated it effective, and 95% would recommend it. The ECG Comb offers a low-cost, high-impact solution for efficient cardiac care for Veterans.
Images
ECG Comb Attached to ECG Machine
ECG comb in various color combinations
Results
At the Salt Lake City VA, a simple innovation is making a measurable difference. The ECG Comb, designed to organize tangled EKG wires, has shown clear benefits in both caregiver satisfaction and clinical efficiency.
In a recent evaluation, 90% of staff reported that the device made ECG setup easier, rating it as effective to very effective. Even more comp ... At the Salt Lake City VA, a simple innovation is making a measurable difference. The ECG Comb, designed to organize tangled EKG wires, has shown clear benefits in both caregiver satisfaction and clinical efficiency.
In a recent evaluation, 90% of staff reported that the device made ECG setup easier, rating it as effective to very effective. Even more compelling, 95% said they would recommend the ECG Comb to their colleagues—underscoring its practical value on the front lines of care.
Initial time trials further validated its impact. Without the device, the average ECG setup took 5 minutes. With the ECG Comb, that time dropped to just 3.5 minutes—a 20–30% improvement in efficiency. That means faster setups, fewer delays, and more time focused on patient care.
Together, these results highlight the ECG Comb’s potential to streamline workflow, reduce frustration, and enhance the caregiver experience—making it a strong candidate for broader adoption across VA facilities. See more
In a recent evaluation, 90% of staff reported that the device made ECG setup easier, rating it as effective to very effective. Even more comp ... At the Salt Lake City VA, a simple innovation is making a measurable difference. The ECG Comb, designed to organize tangled EKG wires, has shown clear benefits in both caregiver satisfaction and clinical efficiency.
In a recent evaluation, 90% of staff reported that the device made ECG setup easier, rating it as effective to very effective. Even more compelling, 95% said they would recommend the ECG Comb to their colleagues—underscoring its practical value on the front lines of care.
Initial time trials further validated its impact. Without the device, the average ECG setup took 5 minutes. With the ECG Comb, that time dropped to just 3.5 minutes—a 20–30% improvement in efficiency. That means faster setups, fewer delays, and more time focused on patient care.
Together, these results highlight the ECG Comb’s potential to streamline workflow, reduce frustration, and enhance the caregiver experience—making it a strong candidate for broader adoption across VA facilities. See more
Metrics
- Based on a 3-minute delay, tangled ECG wires cost the U.S. healthcare system an estimated 5 million hours of clinician time and $250 million annually ($50/hr/clinician). Adopting a simple solution like the ECG Comb could significantly reduce this burden and improve care efficiency, and employee satisfaction across VA facilities.
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
Implementation
Timeline
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Initial Interest & Site Champion Identified
The process begins when a site expresses interest and identifies a clinical champion—such as a nurse manager or telemetry lead—to guide the pilot. One or two units are selected to test the ECG Comb. -
Request and Receive ECG Combs & Intro Materials
The site requests ECG Combs and receives a package that includes quick-start guides, cleaning instructions, signage, pilot study instructions, and feedback materials. The ECG Champion connects with the innovator for a 30–60 minute Teams call to review the materials and ask questions. -
Staff Orientation
The ECG Champion schedules a brief in-service or huddle to introduce the device to staff on the selected units and demonstrate how to use and clean it. -
Pilot Use on 1–2 Units
Over the next several weeks, staff use the ECG Comb during routine ECG setups. Informal feedback is encouraged via QR Code throughout the pilot period. -
Feedback Collection
At the end of the pilot, the site champion and participating unit’s staff complete a short feedback form provided to capture impressions and any measurable impact. -
Return Feedback
The completed feedback is submitted to the originating innovation team to support evaluation, improvement, and potential spread. -
Sustainment & Spread Planning
Based on results, the site may begin planning to sustain use of the ECG Comb or remove and discard materials.
Departments
- Housekeeping
- Quality Management
- Nursing services
- Biomed
- Education and training
Core Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
|
PROCESSES |
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TOOLS |
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Optional Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
|
PROCESSES |
|
TOOLS |
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Links
- By following this link for can find all the Instructional Worksheets and Videos to help you use the ECG Comb Use this Link to get to Instructional Resources for the ECG Comb
Support Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
|
Links
- Please go to this Share Point site for all support documents and videos about the ECG Comb Set Up & Removal , Operation, and Cleaning Share point Page with Documents and Videos for the ECG Comb
Risks and mitigations
| Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Staff Resistance to Change | Keep training brief and hands-on. Use peer champions to demonstrate ease of use. Share early positive feedback from other users to build buy-in. |
| Inconsistent Use During Pilot | Place reminder signage near ECG machines. Assign a unit champion to check in regularly and encourage use during the pilot period. |
| Cleaning or Infection Control Concerns | Provide cleaning instructions and material specifications. Offer to connect local infection control with the originating site or Office of Advanced Manufacturing for clarification. |
| Misplacement or Loss of Devices | Label devices clearly and designate a consistent storage location on or near each ECG machine. Encourage staff to treat the comb as part of the standard setup. |
| Limited Feedback Returned to Innovation Team | Send a reminder email near the end of the pilot with a simple feedback form. Offer a brief follow-up call to collect insights verbally if preferred. |
About
Origin story
About three years ago, I found myself constantly battling tangled ECG lead lines every time I went to complete an order. One day, I stopped and thought, “There has to be a better way.”
I started by searching for existing procedures or devices that could help manage the cables. What I found was surprising—there was no standardized solution. The only device
...
About three years ago, I found myself constantly battling tangled ECG lead lines every time I went to complete an order. One day, I stopped and thought, “There has to be a better way.”
I started by searching for existing procedures or devices that could help manage the cables. What I found was surprising—there was no standardized solution. The only device I came across was a small plastic clip that had to be removed to free the leads. Of the three clips I found, two were broken, and the third was tossed in a bin on the ECG cart, completely unused. It was clear this wasn’t a viable solution—if no one was using it, it wasn’t solving the problem.
That moment sparked my journey to create something better.
After two proof-of-concept models and five rounds of prototyping, I developed what is now the ECG Comb—a simple, durable, and effective tool to keep ECG leads organized and ready for use. It’s currently being tested and used at the Salt Lake City VA’s George E. Wahlen Medical Center.
My hope is that the ECG Comb will continue to spread across the VA—and eventually, beyond—to help clinicians everywhere spend less time untangling cords and more time focused on patient care.
Original team
Kris Carlile RN
Telemetry/Nursing Education
Comment
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