If healthcare facilities are to maximize positive outcomes for their patients, then they need excellent staff and the latest in technological advances. Media attention often focuses on breakthroughs in treating diseases or laboratory innovations that allow technicians to identify potential new cures.
However, these tend to be significant announcements that come from years of work from a variety of specialists. While these are crucial advances, the daily work that happens on wards around the country is arguably just as vital. Medics utilize technology in just about every aspect of healthcare, and the devices required are essential in helping medical professionals achieve positive patient outcomes.
One such piece of technology is the computer cart on wheels. Although familiar as an ever-present appliance on the hospital ward, many physicians and nurses utilize the tool differently because of its versatility.
Improve Emergency Response Times
Clinical environments host patients suffering from a range of conditions, some more serious and unpredictable than others. Cardiac wards require a crash team to be alert and ready to rush to a patient in the event of a cardiac arrest. The current Covid-19 pandemic has made the public increasingly aware of the need to have emergency medical care for those with a severe respiratory illness.
Healthcare facilities can help their staff to improve patient outcomes by having mobile medical carts stationed at the end of each ward. As different medical specialties may need their own particular devices and tools, they can equip the carts with the necessary appliances.
In the event of an emergency, the medics can attend the point of care with the cart, confident that they have everything they need to provide the highest level of patient care.
Safeguard Confidential Information
Medical facilities deal with a considerable amount of confidential information. Every aspect of a patient’s file must be kept secure and accessible only to those with the correct authorizations. The method of keeping data on a chart at the end of a patient’s bed is outdated, as is the practice of recording notes in a paper file, which an administrator inputs to a computer at a later date.
Both these practices leave patient information open to being seen by members of the public and are unacceptable in a modern workspace. A workstation on wheels allows a medic to bring a laptop to the patient’s bedside where they can view the electronic medical records without the need for paper copies.
Test results, scans, and images are available online, password-protected, and encrypted for added security. Only a medic with the correct password can see the electronic health records.
As they can add their notes while still in the patient’s room, the accuracy of notes can improve, and there is less risk of staff losing information than if they recorded it on paper.
Improve Patient Satisfaction
Computers on wheels can also be a benefit when it comes to patient interactions. Quality of care is not only about treatment, but it is also essential to have a level of trust between physicians and patients. As mobile computing carts are height-adjustable, physicians can lower the screen to display the results and scans that they are using to develop a treatment plan.
A patient who feels involved in their recuperation is likely to feel this improves the quality of care, rather than those who think they are being told what to do instead of being consulted.
Enhanced Workflow
There is limited space in a clinical environment, and it is shared by physicians, nurses, physical therapists, administrative staff, patients, visitors, and many more people who are in the building for various reasons. It can be frustrating for team members to wait in queues of people, even their colleagues when they are trying to be efficient and get on with their work.
By using a mobile cart, the medic can eliminate the need to return to central locations to use computers or to pick up equipment. Not only will this allow them to continue on their rounds more efficiently, but it will also free up space in central areas for their colleagues.
In a busy environment, incremental improvements can add up to significant time savings over a day. These improvements can only be of benefit to patient care and cost savings.
Uninterrupted Working Hours
Medical computer carts come with many benefits. However, they can only be useful if they are in operation. At Scott-Clark Medical, we use our Flexible Mobile Cart Power Technology (FMCPT) and hot-swappable batteries to keep carts in service around the clock.
Our lithium-ion batteries have an average battery life of 8-10 hours and take only 2-3 hours to recharge. While one battery is powering the cart, the other is charging while still attached to the unit. When a battery runs low, the user can easily swap the batteries around. The cart will remain on through this process, which takes approximately 30 seconds to complete.
The medic can now continue on their rounds, knowing that a freshly-charged battery will be ready many hours before they need to change out the one they are currently using. At the end of a physician’s shift, their colleague can take their cart and start on their rounds.
Final Thoughts
The healthcare industry has embraced technology, and mobile medical carts are known for the many benefits they bring to the ward. From assisting with the daily rounds to improving response times in the event of emergencies, professionals from various specialties can avail of their versatility.
At Scott-Clark Medical, we have years of experience in providing computer carts on wheels to the medical field. For a free consultation and personalized quote, contact us.