After experiencing a splash of hazardous fluid while rinsing a patient’s colostomy bag, Sarah Waimon, a nursing supervisor at South County Hospital in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, set out to develop a better protective solution for healthcare workers. Drawing on her 16 years of experience in intensive care and colorectal units, Waimon created Looey, a clear splash guard designed to attach to existing bedpan washers and toilets to prevent dangerous splash-back during cleaning.
Bedpan washers, common in hospitals and nursing facilities, use high-pressure sprays—approximately twice the force of a household kitchen sink—to rinse soiled containers. This process often causes fluid to splash back onto healthcare workers, posing a risk of contamination. Waimon said that “all the time” colleagues reported being sprayed on their arms or shoes, though facial exposure was less frequent but particularly concerning. Her invention aims to integrate with current hospital equipment without requiring major renovations.
Looey attaches to washers and toilets using a gasket and mounting plate secured by hex screws. Made from durable, chemical-resistant plastic, it can be cleaned with standard hospital disinfectant wipes and reused. The device’s design provides a physical barrier between caregivers and hazardous fluids, enhancing safety during routine patient care tasks.
Waimon’s path to invention began after the incident with the colostomy bag rinse. Starting with a cardboard prototype crafted at home, she collaborated with Rhode Island’s R&D Technologies and later engaged with the New England Medical Innovation Center (NEMIC) in Providence. Enrolling in NEMIC’s Med Tech Leadership Program and its accelerator helped her navigate the complexities of patenting, engineering refinement, and funding. With help from local firms including Hinckley Allen and MaRs Plastics, Waimon tested prototypes in her hospital and is preparing for larger-scale manufacturing.
Despite the challenges of balancing nursing work, entrepreneurship, and motherhood to two young children, Waimon has found strong support within Rhode Island’s innovation ecosystem. The process was eased by regional resources such as NEMIC and Rihub, a group dedicated to converting ideas into viable start-ups. Looking ahead, she plans to showcase Looey at the Magnet & Pathways conference in Chicago this October, gaining exposure among nurse innovators.
Waimon anticipates Looey’s availability by September, already receiving inquiries from over 50 hospitals interested in product information or trial samples. Her initiative highlights both frontline healthcare challenges and the potential for practitioner-led innovation to improve safety standards in clinical environments.