There are different carts used in healthcare settings; each of them has specific uses. Medical cart manufacturers can help you determine how each cart can fit you’re your facility.
Medication Carts
Medical supply carts give you the freedom to buy what fits your needs best. Medication carts offer a wide range of drawer layouts that are secure during all transportation and can store any of your medical needs.
These drawers can offer electronic locking to ensure patient safety. These added locks secure each drawer individually. Codes or proximity cards can be used to unlock them.
Medication carts have different options, some have wheels, some have batteries that can be swapped out faster, and some are stationary. Many medication carts are height adjustable which is perfect for bedside use.
Point of Care Carts
Point of care carts are mobile workstations that are made to serve healthcare clinics and help their workflow increase. Point of care carts are widely known as computers on wheels (COWs); they are made to hold any tablet or computer that you may need in any healthcare room.
Point of care carts have bar code wands, drawers to store anything, and have a battery with a swap option. This swap battery allows healthcare workers the freedom to continue working and not have to remain in one place to charge their equipment.
These carts are designed for flexibility and mobility. Many nurses and doctors take these to all their patient rooms to chart medications and vital signs. So these carts are made to accommodate medical equipment, patient bags, and other things that may be in a hospital room.
Crash Carts
A crash cart is stored in an easy to access location and is used when there is a code. This happens when someone stops breathing, or their heart is not working well or has stopped completely. A medical crash cart should have basic airway intubation, IV tubing and IV fluids, medications to treat cardiac dysrhythmias or allergic reactions, and a defibrillator or an AED. Other equipment can be kept of the cart as well. Some clinics want a blood pressure cuff, or a blood sugar monitor added.
A crash cart needs to be sturdy and mobile. The crash carts need to be ready to go within seconds.
Crash carts should be in any facility that treats patients that have the potential for their health to deteriorate suddenly and should be readily available. Many state regulatory agencies require certain facilities to have crash carts at their disposal. However, every healthcare facility should strongly consider having one.
Hospitals, urgent cares, and any healthcare place where conscious sedation is performed needs a crash cart. Physician offices who specialize in stress echocardiogram or cardiac stress testing need to have a crash cart is a safe location.
Custom Carts
Carts can also be custom made. Carts can be stationary or mobile, include swappable batteries or need recharged, have secure locking systems or be open depending on your needs and preference.
Nursing homes, doctors’ offices, and hospitals all have different needs and requirements. It is important to talk to the staff and find what they need.
A cart specifically for keeping Electronic Medical Records may need a simple computer cart on wheels and minimal drawers. For this example, batteries are important, as this healthcare staff member may spend all day walking to each room; hot-swappable batteries may be the best charging option.
Another thing to look into is stainless steel or aluminum with a powder coat. This surface is the easiest to sanitize. Plastic surfaces can break down and give MRSA and other highly infectious germs a place to breed and spread.
