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Any hospital or clinic needs to supply its staff properly to ensure the highest quality of patient care. Medical carts are a crucial piece of that puzzle &#; but it&#;s easy to overlook details when trying to purchase carts on a tight budget. Point of care carts, medication carts, operating room carts, and other specialized equipment should be selected carefully to suit the needs of your patients and staff.

Material and Mobility

The structure of your medical carts can have a significant impact on staff satisfaction. Aluminum medical carts are lightweight yet sturdy and have a smooth and easy-to-clean surface. Aluminum with powder coating is also available to maximize patient and staff comfort. Often, components that undergo significant stress will be made of stainless steel, but it&#;s usually not necessary for the entire cart to be stainless steel.

Avoid carts with unnecessary surfaces, as these can increase the amount of time required to clean a cart thoroughly. Plastic or painted components on carts can crack and chip, providing breeding grounds for MRSA and other infectious agents. Though some plastic parts are unavoidable, well-designed carts will minimize plastic surfaces.

Many designs allow for the cart to be pushed or pulled, maximizing staff mobility in busy hallways and small rooms. Look for carts that minimize their footprint and tuck their drawers and other components into a small area.

Battery Systems

Busy hospitals want cart batteries that minimize the need to stop and recharge. One solution is the hot-swap system, which allows for new batteries to be inserted without cutting power to the cart&#;s computer. This system usually features two mounting positions so that a fresh battery can be inserted before removing the old one. Hospitals with plenty of places to plug in a cart may not need a hot-swap system, but very busy nursing staff may appreciate the ability to replace batteries quickly.

Some hospitals, though, prefer to rotate out carts and plug them in on a regular basis. Carts featuring Flexible Mobile Cart Power technology (FMCP) maximize mobility and performance flexibility by allowing users to either plug in the cart or swap in a fresh battery as needed.

Battery Chemistries

Lithium-ion batteries are the industry standard for safety and reliability, but there are multiple types available, including cobalt dioxide and lithium iron phosphate batteries. Cobalt dioxide lithium-ion batteries are known for their high energy output, while lithium iron phosphate batteries can last for tens of thousands of recharges. Both types can provide several hours on a single charge and can go years without losing charging power.

Standard lead-acid batteries require recharging and replacement much more frequently, reducing staff efficiency and increasing costs over time. These batteries are also not hot-swappable and cannot be charged off-cart.

Screens and Cameras

Basic hospital carts are designed for only one computer, but carts for operating rooms need more space for screens and equipment. Fortunately, it&#;s possible to get custom carts to suit any type of surgery. Large screens and stable cameras are critical for patient safety and successful outcomes when a surgeon needs maximum precision.

Make sure screens and cameras are securely attached to the cart and aren&#;t too top-heavy. Carts with equipment that can be extended into the air should be carefully engineered to keep the center of gravity as low as possible.

Drawers

In our current opioid abuse epidemic, it&#;s more important than ever that hospitals have the infrastructure to prevent theft of medication. Medication carts with locking drawers are the best option for ensuring proper dispensing.

Though manually-locking drawers were once common, modern medical carts often utilize electronic locks. These locks can either require access code or proximity cards to open. For busy facilities with many passcodes to keep track of, proximity cards may be a better option.

Ergonomics

Height-adjustable carts are a must for any hospital. Back injuries can occur when staff slouch or crane their necks to use equipment, and even patients can lose out if they can&#;t see an ultrasound screen or another monitoring device.

Most heavy carts will need handles of some kind, and ergonomically-designed handles will reduce repetitive-motion injuries in nursing staff.

Wheels and Fasteners

In a medical emergency, hospital staff&#;s ability to maneuver a crash cart can dramatically affect patient outcomes. Look for carts with wheels that rotate easily and don&#;t stick out beyond the top of the cart. When a nurse is rushing down a hallway, the last thing they need is for a wheel to get caught on a doorframe.

Fasteners should also be unobtrusive since poorly-designed fasteners can snag on clothing or even cause damage to other equipment. A well-engineered cart will have rounded bolts or screws that are flush with the surfaces being joined.

Ultimately, consulting with your physicians, nursing staff and IT department should help you decide which systems are right for you. Medical carts are an investment that should last for years and should be able to be retrofitted as new technology emerges.

4 Things to Look for in your Crash Cart

Crash carts are integral to patient care and are built to accompany doctors to treat emergency, life-threatening situations in hospital settings. Not all crash carts are designed the same or offer equal functionality, so it&#;s important to do your research before making a decision about which type of crash cart is best for your facility.

Are you interested in learning more about hospital medication carts? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

About Crash Carts

Crash carts hold the equipment and medications needed to treat patients in the first 30 minutes of a medical emergency. State agencies legally require code carts in certain health care locations and recommend them in many more areas to improve life-saving patient care.

What Matters in a Crash Cart

Having a crash cart well-suited to your practice can make a huge impact on the quality of care patients receive. We&#;ve compiled a list of four things you should look for in your crash cart.

1.Mobility

Crash carts are meant to travel, so a lightweight yet durable cart will make the process smoother and more efficient. Carts are often made from a combination of aluminum, stainless steel, and plastic for a lasting product that is weight-conscious.

Keeping carts streamlined cuts down on bulk, allows for easier steering, and ensures they fit neatly into patient bays.

Carts should be easy to move, but only when you want them to. Easily accessible wheel locks are important for keeping a cart stable when it&#;s not in transit.

2.Organized Storage System

The layout and organization of a crash cart make a big difference to its functionality and accessibility, especially with so many people who use and maintain the cart. A smart organizational system makes monthly maintenance easier by allowing staff to quickly check expiration dates and refresh supplies.

When you add to that that a cart is expected to house expensive specialty equipment alongside more frequently used products, like sodium chloride, a proper layout becomes even more important.

The optimal layout of a cart will depend on its role in the healthcare field, making custom carts a popular option among emergency care professionals. Adult crash carts often have different arrangements than pediatric crash carts, and specialty practices require still different instruments and layouts. Where anesthesia is practiced, intubation equipment is important to have on board.

Some organizational features are relatively constant throughout crash cart design. The heart monitor and defibrillator are kept on top of the cart for easy access during common cardiac codes, while IV fluids are often hung on the back of the cart or stored in a drawer.

Drawer space and division capabilities are a major part of cart organization. Drawer labels are not for informational purposes only but are necessary for keeping emergency medications organized by allowing for easy identification and restocking.

Exterior storage for oxygen tanks and portable suction machines is a common storage solution, but these life-saving instruments can also be stored inside the cart in many newer models.

3.Charging Capability

Crash carts will not work without power. In some hospitals, carts are out of commission for large parts of the day while they recharge. To minimize the number of carts needed in your facility, ensure the power source is reliable and easily charged.

Flexible Mobile Cart Power Technology is a trusted solution to power mobile computing devices. It provides a 6 to 10-hour power source that can be charged in the cart or swapped with a charged battery. It also comes with a 5-year warranty.

4.Security and Accessibility

Medical carts must be kept on hand for emergencies yet secured to comply with FDA medical device safety regulations. Some carts come with computerized locking mechanisms to secure cart drawers against theft or dosing errors.

Because professionals use crash carts in teams, the functions of the cart should allow for simultaneous use to save precious time in an emergency.

Final Thoughts

Crash carts provide the life-saving tools needed in an emergency medical situation. Their utility can be maximized by ensuring you get the right crash cart for your medical facility.

Learn more about how our custom cart and battery solutions can help improve your practice through our educational blog series. To talk with an experienced crash cart consultant, call us at (512) 756- or send us a message via our online form.

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