Nurse Inventor Spotlight Series: Paul Kambies, BSN, RN

The Nurse Inventor Spotlight series features Cleveland Clinic nurses who have embarked on the innovation journey. Here, they share what they find inspiring about their role, how they identified an unmet need, what innovation means to them and how their solution could affect both patients and caregivers.

This installment features Paul Kambies, BSN, RN, whose firsthand experience on a vascular surgery step-down floor and emergency department inspired him to improve the management of incontinence for bedridden patients. Paul shares how his collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Innovations helped transform his idea into a product with the potential to enhance patient care and caregiver efficiency.

Q: What led you to make a mid-career shift into nursing?

A: Before becoming a nurse, I earned an industrial technology degree and worked in various manufacturing facilities. However, I always had an interest in medicine and had even taken prerequisite courses with the goal of becoming a nurse.

My decision to make the mid-career shift was personal. During that time, my daughter had a febrile seizure that led to her being intubated and transferred from Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Pediatric Emergency Department to Main Campus. Watching her go through that experience was incredibly difficult. I felt powerless, unsure of what was happening, and completely at the mercy of the medical team. That moment solidified my commitment to finishing nursing school.

I’ve been with Cleveland Clinic for nine years. I started as a vascular surgery step-down nurse at Main Campus, then moved to Euclid Hospital’s emergency department (ED). I have since transitioned to working as a physician specialist for ED providers across the enterprise. In this role, I provide Epic training and support to physicians and advanced practice providers. To stay connected to patient care, I still work one shift a week as a nurse in the Euclid Hospital ED. Clinical work keeps my skills sharp and provides valuable insight into the software I help support.

Q: What aspects of your role inspire you the most?

A: The strong sense of teamwork and shared purpose. In previous industries I worked in, like engineering, people were often more focused on profit or design goals. Here, everyone is genuinely committed to the same mission: providing the best possible care to patients.

It’s inspiring to see how unified the team is, with every person driven by the desire to treat patients with compassion and dignity — the way they would want their own loved ones to be treated. Even with challenges of limited resources, the dedication to delivering exceptional care never wavers. Witnessing that level of commitment day in and day out is incredibly motivating.

Q: What does innovation mean to you?

A: Innovation is about fixing the things that frustrate you. When you question why something is done a certain way, that is an opportunity for improvement. Many of the processes we now take for granted once started with someone saying: This doesn’t make sense. There has to be a better way. It takes the willingness to push against the momentum and suggest a novel approach, which can become the new standard.

I always encourage my colleagues to speak up when a process or tool feels inefficient or outdated. If it seems like there could be an easier or better way, there probably is. Asking those questions and challenging the norm is where real innovation begins.

Q: What problem were you seeking to solve with your invention?

A: The idea stems from my time working on a vascular surgery step-down floor. Many patients must manage incontinence and require monitoring of urine output during a hospital stay. For bedridden patients, this can be a significant issue with potentially profound consequences. Incontinence can lead to skin breakdown, discomfort, and emotional distress for the patient. It also demands substantial staff time and resources for frequent bed changes and cleanups.

I realized there was a gap within existing solutions, including indwelling catheters or external devices, which were not always appropriate or effective. I started thinking about how we could develop a product to better serve this overlooked population and ensure they receive the same dignity and comfort as others.

Q: How has Cleveland Clinic Innovations helped guide the invention process?

A: My collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Innovations (CCI) has been incredibly smooth, supportive and educational. I’ve worked closely with the engineering team to submit my initial drawings and brainstorm what might or might not work. Their invaluable guidance helped me tweak the design to preserve intellectual property and avoid conflicts with existing patents. I have worked on two different prototype versions with the CCI team’s guidance and have gained insight into the difference between prototyping and large-scale manufacturing.

Turning an idea into a real product involves many moving parts. It is not as simple as putting a concept to paper; there are engineering groups, clinical experts and multiple stakeholders involved. For example, our prototype is 3D-printed over a 24-hour period — but that's not feasible for mass production. Working with the CCI engineers on material selection and refining the assembly process has helped us focus on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The scale and complexity of the process have been both challenging and rewarding, and I am grateful for the collaboration and expertise that made it possible.

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Kambies has been working hand-in-hand with Cleveland Clinic Innovations.

Q: What is the status of your invention now?

A: The invention is currently in the prototype phase. We expect to receive one or two physical models soon for hands-on testing. Once we complete the testing, we will move forward with refining the design for mass production — focusing on making it efficient and scalable.

Q: What has the invention process been like, and what has surprised you the most?

A: It’s been a long journey. I initially submitted my idea in October 2020, so it has been several years in the making. While I didn’t have specific expectations going in, the experience has been overwhelmingly positive. The CCI team has been incredibly helpful and supportive, and there are a lot of resources available. I have encouraged my colleagues to submit their own ideas because the process isn't as daunting as it might seem.

Overall, it has been a great learning experience, and I'm motivated to continue submitting ideas. Now that I have seen how smooth and collaborative the process can be, I am even more inspired to keep innovating.

Q: How has your engineering background influenced your approach to innovation?

A: My industrial technology coursework emphasized hands-on learning before theory. We would take things apart to understand how they worked, which shaped my problem-solving mindset. One of the first things I did when I had my idea was to disassemble other products to see how they functioned. Knowing the internal mechanisms helped me create my vision.

I also have seen the impact small improvements can make. Even if my invention only helps 10% of patients who need an external urinary collection device, it still reduces complications and saves nurses' valuable time. In a large organization like Cleveland Clinic, small ideas can scale quickly, creating a significant impact on efficiency and patient safety.

Q: How do you hope your invention will affect caregivers and patients?

A: I am hopeful this will have a significant positive impact. People who haven’t worked in healthcare may not realize how time-intensive and physically demanding it is to roll and change a patient. Or consider how frustrating and embarrassing it can be to have others change your bedding. The hope is that this product will enable us to improve both patient dignity and caregiver efficiency, ultimately enhancing safety and care quality.

Q: Have you drawn inspiration from any particular colleague?

A: It is difficult to single out one person because I am inspired by so many of my colleagues. When I first started as a nurse in the vascular surgery step-down unit, the team was incredible, supporting my growth and helping me learn on a challenging floor with complex patients.

The nurses in the ED are also constantly innovating by finding creative solutions to provide the best care, even when faced with adversity. Whether it is figuring out how to maximize limited space and resources or using equipment in inventive ways, their dedication to patient care drives them to think outside the box. The creativity and resilience of the people I work with is truly inspiring.

Q: What advice would you give a fellow caregiver who's interested in inventing?

A: Recognize that anything that frustrates you is an opportunity for improvement. If you think something could be done better, chances are others feel the same way; it just takes one person to start the process. Don’t be nervous or embarrassed about sharing your idea. Even if it’s not perfect, it could spark other solutions or evolve through collaboration. The key is to take that first step. Trust that your idea could make a meaningful impact.