Medical crash carts, since they came into use around 1962, have evolved into specialized equipments for use in emergencies. In appearance it looks like a set of shelves mounted on casters; however, there is more to this emergency service equipment than meets the eye. Health care facilities engaged in providing such emergency services select a cart with care so that it works seamlessly with highest levels of functionality.
Before you invest in an expensive medical crash cart you might consider it worthwhile examining it from all perspectives.
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| Medical Crash Cart |
Durability
- The cart has to be ruggedly designed and tough enough to withstand rough handling, at the same time it must be lightweight to allow fast movement and transport.
- The cart usually consists of a welded internal frame covered by lightweight high impact aluminum panels, making the cart tough and durable.
Design Features
- Ease of use is extremely important in medical crash carts.
- Seamless and removable cart top with a lip all round to retain spills, should they occur
- Lightweight yet strong drawers that slide out or close with minimum force, conforming to ISO 60/40 storage tray specifications, fitted with high quality drawer slides running on ball bearings
- Full width handles on drawers for speed in use
- Lockable system
- Easy to take apart for thorough sterilization and sanitation
- Built in bumpers, preferably made of polycarbonate with nylon reinforcement, also serving as the wheel base, to protect contents and equipments while providing greater stability
- High quality swivel casters with lockable feature and thread guards prevents the cart from tilting over if pushed suddenly or if it is being transported at high speeds.
Accessories
- Availability of accessories is also a determinant in selecting a particular brand of medical crash cart.
- An extra shelf to hold a defibrillator with facility to adjust position, with secure mounting feature
- Options to place collectors at various points
- Glove dispensers to hold gloves
- An oxygen tank holder that can be mounted on one side of the cart
- Various storage modules to hold miscellaneous items
- A waste container with lid
- A clear top mat that facilitates cleaning
- IV pole with adjustable height feature
- A slide out writing surface on which doctors can make notes
- Removable drawer tray with compartments inside
- Quick release cardiac board that can be set up or removed and fixed to the side with speed and ease
- Power supply cord with an outlet strip
- A variable position arm to hold laptops or other medical devices on top of the cart
- Flexible divider systems to facilitate dividing the internals of each drawer for better organization and access to vital medications or tools.
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| Medical Cart |
Quality and Performance
- Medical carts may have the above features but they may still lack quality and performance due to poor engineering design, choice of flimsy materials and lack of precision in fabrication and fitting. It should be easy to clean and sanitize all parts of the cart. Taking it apart and putting it together depends on how well it has been designed and the choice of materials used. While metals are best to resist high temperature, high temperature resistant engineering polymers may also be used in carts.
Warranty and Price
- Price is important for hospitals and healthcare services that must control costs but not at the expense of quality.
- The best medical carts carry a warranty that might extend to five years.
Buying from a reputed brand is your best option for quality and guaranteed products.
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