Medical practices of all types need to embrace specialized telemedicine carts and computing workstations for improving patient care. As 21st-century healthcare needs evolve in response to new circumstances, staff may even have to re-train on new medical computers.
With the right carts, your team can remain flexible in a wide variety of everyday situations and crises. This investment is well worth it for its effect on patient confidence and team morale.
Reducing Human Contact
One of the most critical uses of telehealth technology is for reducing the transmission of infectious diseases. When treating a patient who may have a highly contagious condition, health systems can use point-of-care carts with built-in virtual care capabilities to allow staff to distance themselves as much as possible.
Ideally, a staff member should be able to wheel a computer cart into a patient’s room, connect the patient to sensors needed to monitor vitals, and then leave and disinfect immediately. A nurse or physician could then take over the consultation from there, walking through basic diagnostic questions while viewing the patient’s vitals.
Although some tasks, like administering IVs, would have to be done by a human, the visit’s telehealth component can dramatically reduce the time staff is at risk and the number of staff exposed.
Comfortable Workstations for Physicians
Physicians who have to report to work in-person but need to complete some telehealth services need a comfortable workstation to use for those appointments. Telehealth patients deserve the same efficient service as face-to-face patients and having optimized video conferencing medical carts makes that much easier.
Physicians should be able to view the patient via video and view medical images and records simultaneously. This is best accomplished with dual monitors, which require a specialized mount attached to the cart’s frame.
Since physicians may spend hours looking at patient records and moving between face-to-face and virtual visits, their work surface and equipment need to be as comfortable as possible. At Scott-Clark Medical, our workstations are height-adjustable with a full range of keyboard tray and monitor mount options so your staff can get the exact cart they need to work without back or neck strain.
Connection with Specialists
Rural hospitals and even well-staffed suburban facilities sometimes don’t have a full team of specialists within driving distance. This is especially true for patients with rare conditions or cancers. Although some services are still best provided in-person, patients can often reduce their time traveling to other cities for care by using telehealth.
Hospitals can use specialized webcams and sensors to transmit real-time information to specialists at other facilities, then guide their tests and treatment based on that specialist’s expert opinion. This not only makes patient care faster, but also more affordable and sustainable.
Customizing with Webcams and More
Basic computer webcams aren’t the only things telehealth work surfaces require. Peripherals for taking temperature, monitoring vitals, and scanning barcodes help reduce the amount of contact needed between patients and staff. Other medical devices must also be updated to work effectively with telehealth and patient record software, enabling live updates for staff monitoring a patient remotely.
Large mobile devices like tablets can only do so much, so fully equipped computer carts are the best option for a healthcare environment. A manufacturer capable of customizing computer carts can outfit your facility with the exact carts you need. Instead of using the same basic telemedicine cart for every wing or specialty, get telemedicine carts that meet each staff member’s needs.
Battery Life
Medical cart computers need a powerful battery to deal with the demands of telemedicine. Streaming video and updating medical records over an active internet connection requires a surprising amount of computing power, which can quickly drain a cart’s battery.
Flexible Mobile Cart Power Technology (FMCPT) is a leading battery power solution for health care needs. These powerful yet lightweight lithium-ion batteries can last for a full shift, making it easier for your staff to complete their work without interruption. In case of a long workday, staff can easily swap in a fresh hot-swap battery without shutting off the cart’s power.
These batteries have clear screens that provide an estimated amount of time remaining and a yellow indicator light that turns on when the battery is down to its last 20 minutes. This makes it easier for staff to monitor their needs, even during a busy shift.
Cutting-Edge Medical Technology
Telehealth continues to develop as patients and doctors become more familiar with its possibilities. Your organization can be a pioneer in telehealth innovation by examining your operations for ways to improve efficiency with video and remote medical care.
Scott-Clark Medical is always ready to work with you to design and produce medical computer carts that meet your team’s requirements. We put great care into our engineering, creating only the highest-quality carts that tolerate everyday wear and tear. Our frames use both stainless steel and aluminum to keep them lightweight yet durable, and the plastic on trays and work surfaces resists cracking and is easy to sanitize.
We understand the complex needs of healthcare organizations and can make suggestions for customizing your carts, but ultimately, the choice is in your hands. Call us today at (512) 756-7300 to take charge of your facility’s telehealth equipment needs.