Every type of medical facility has specific criteria for the purchase or design of a new medical cart. For example, a dentist’s office will not have the same medical cart needs as a hospital emergency room. However, we’ve compiled a list of common features that are ideal for any medical cart regardless of purpose.
1. Maneuverability
It may seem obvious, but ease of transport is crucial in medical carts. To accommodate carts that may be more difficult to maneuver, a bigger handle and four directional wheel casters may be incorporated into the design; or, carts that are highly mobile but need stationary stability may require locking wheels.
Depending on the medical application, carts with larger wheels may be more easily pushed over a threshold because the wheels will not get stuck in any gaps or crevices, especially by elevators.
2. Organization
Medical carts that are compact — meaning, no loose or dangling components — are far more desirable than those that have items hanging over the side. Carts that are unorganized are harder to transport and may encourage component breakage or people being injured. Understandably, some medical devices may require a design that contradicts compactness, but innovative medical cart designs are available to minimize risk in these situations.
3. Cable and Inventory Management
Adjustable heights for working surfaces have become a popular feature in the medical device field, as have cart designs for the products and devices used with the variable surfaces. It’s essential that engineers know what products will be used with the medical cart so they can anticipate how much room is needed.
While devices are getting smaller, medical carts remain the same size to comply with IEC 60601 standards and other tests. This evolution allows room for inventory management, and an organized medical cart enables proper time management.
Having a hideaway option for cables, for instance, is extremely helpful in keeping an organized workspace. Offering a place to hang a cord or cable makes for a safer work environment as well. Some casters are even designed to roll over cords — known as cable pushers — so cart transport is not impeded.
Keeping maneuverability, organization and cable and inventory management in mind when designing or looking for your next medical cart will go a long way toward achieving your ideal product.
Do you have questions about how to make your medical cart more facility friendly? Contact us today. We’re happy to help!
