How should you respond to a frayed electrical cord in a patient area?

• A. Remove the device from service, unplug it if safe, tag it out, and report to maintenance for replacement or repair.
• B. Ignore it.
• C. Continue using with tape.
• D. Notify housekeeping.

Answer: (A)

Damaged electrical cords pose a real risk of electric shock and fire in patient areas, so the safest and most effective action is to remove the device from service and prevent further use until it’s addressed by qualified personnel. If you can do so safely, unplug the device, then tag it out to clearly indicate it must not be used and report it to maintenance for replacement or repair. This sequence quickly eliminates the hazard and ensures the device is repaired or replaced before any patient care continues.

Ignoring it, continuing to use with tape, or simply notifying housekeeping doesn’t adequately address the safety risk or ensure proper repair, so they’re not appropriate responses in this situation.