Medical facilities use mobile computer carts to improve their operational efficiency, achieve better patient outcomes, and ensure they meet their required profitability targets. There are many types of mobile medical carts, and you can customize the units to meet your clinical requirements.
However, it’s crucial to purchase the most suitable cart for your needs and work with a reputable supplier who can equip and maintain the medical accessories. Before buying your next mobile computer cart, here are several vital considerations.
What Battery System Powers the Cart?
This may not be the first question that comes to mind, but it is one of the most important. Early battery cart models may use standard lithium-ion batteries, which need frequent charging and require replacing after 12 months.
In the worst-case scenario, staff may need to plug their cart into a wall socket, taking them off the ward for several hours each time.
Scott-Clark Medical uses LIFEPO4 batteries and our advanced Flexible Mobile Cart Power Technology (FMCPT) to keep your mobile medical cart on the ward and operational at all times. Medical staff can charge one battery on the cart while another powers the unit, and the intelligent battery control system (BCS) distributes power to the devices that need it most.
Audible and visual warnings alert the user when one battery is running low on charge, and they can replace it using our hot-swappable battery system. There is no need for IT support, and any team member can put in a fresh battery in as little as 30 seconds.
The average run time for a fully-charged battery is 8-10 hours, and the full charge time for a flat battery is only 2.5 hours.
If you already own a mobile medical cart with a less efficient battery system, we offer a retro-fitting service for installing our battery technology.
How Many and What Kind of Storage Compartments are on the Cart?
Medical staff use a considerable amount of equipment during a shift. If several team members are using the same unit, there is a need for even greater storage space, and a mobile medical cart provides several options.
Medical staff can store non-hazardous materials such as disinfectant wipes, gloves, masks, gowns, and stationery in the baskets at the cart’s side and rear. They can use the biometrically-locking drawers for more sensitive items such as sharps and medications.
These drawers use proximity scanners and only open when a staff member with an encoded keycard programmed with the correct authorizations is within a preset distance.
The drawers also carry extra security devices such as barcode scanners and wands. Each time a physician removes a medicine from the cart, the equipment creates a digital entry, documenting the staff member’s name, the date and time, the name and amount of the prescribed medicine, and the patient in receipt of the medication.
By enabling a physician to carry this amount of equipment with them on their rounds, the storage compartments on a mobile medical cart significantly improve workflow and productivity.
One storage aspect that is easy to overlook is the amount of computer monitor space on the top of the unit. It is useful for some physicians to have dual-monitors, where they can keep patient records on one screen and view lab test results or scan images on the other.
This feature also helps physicians to use videos and images to explain medical terms to a patient to facilitate a collaborative approach to medical care, so it’s beneficial to purchase a cart with plenty of monitor space.
Is the Cart Made of Steel or Aluminium?
At Scott-Clark Medical, we have years of experience supplying mobile workstations to the medical community, and we know what cart material works best in a clinical setting. We mostly use stainless steel in our construction as it is stronger and more durable than aluminum.
However, aluminum is lighter than stainless steel and offers more effortless mobility when pushing a cart through a ward. We use a balanced combination of both materials to make the units strong yet lightweight.
For parts that require precise customization, we use dense plastic to reduce the risk of cracking. If you prefer your cart to be especially strong or lightweight, we can customize your cart to your desired specifications.
Does the Cart Come with a Warranty?
When investing in a mobile computer cart, it’s essential to know the manufacturer backs their product with a warranty. At Scott-Clark Medical, we cover our frames and batteries with a 5-year limited warranty for your peace of mind.
We also offer a full maintenance package to keep your mobile computer cart in the best condition and reduce the need for repairs or replacement parts.
The Wrap Up
Asking the right questions and working with a trusted and experienced mobile computer cart provider is the best way to ensure you receive the maximum benefit from your investment. Each department or office space in a healthcare facility has different needs, and Scott-Clark Medical can supply the most suitable mobile cart for your requirements.
For a consultation and a free quote, contact the Scott-Clark Medical sales team at (512) 756-7300. You can also contact at https://www.facebook.com/scottclarkmedical/