Medical carts come in a myriad of sizes, shapes, and colors. Here are some guidelines to help you determine which features and functions are most important to your environment.

Although choosing the right medical cart is not a life or death decision, it can have a dramatic impact on the medical personnel who use it and the patients they care for.

The ideal cart allows a person to immediately identify medications and supplies and provide fast and easy access to them. It also offers security and organization; helps identify specific procedures; and provides a work surface. A good cart functions as a mobile work station that can be easily and quickly moved to any location over carpet and tile and in and

out of elevators.

Safe and sound

Most carts come with a locking system to protect valuable supplies, and to keep curious toddlers or others from getting their hands on potentially dangerous items. When security is an issue especially for medication dispensing carts—make sure the cart features locks from a well-known manufacturer such as Best System, which makes tamper-resistant locks with keys that cannot be duplicated. Also, look for locks with cores that can be removed so you can easily replace the core if necessary.

For additional protection, consider a cart with an electronic locking system, some of which feature keyless entry and a self-locking timer system. A more economical alternative to keyless entry is a push-button lock, where a push button keypad is used to obtain access with a key override feature. Carts are available without locks, for situations where items such as gowns, mask, and slippers don’t need to be secured.

Most carts are designed for specific purposes. Examples include carts for medication, emergency room, long-term care, anesthesia, and isolation and infection control. Medication carts, for example, have cassettes with bins that can be labeled. They are typically larger than other types and built to withstand constant use. These specialized carts allow nurses to remove cassettes and give them to the pharmacy to be restocked for the next shift.

Custom fit

Most units are available with a variety of options, including color, size, and accessories so you can design the cart to exactly fit your needs. For instance, you might want an IV pole and cardiac board for an emergency cart. You can choose any configuration of drawer sizes including 3-, 4-, 6-, 9- or 12-inches. Compact models also are available to fit an institution’s needs or budget.

Color is another custom option. You can choose drawer colors to correspond to your department’s color-coding system. For instance, you may want red for emergencies, green for anesthesia, yellow for isolation, and orange for latex-free. This way, cart users can identify what they’re looking for at a glance, increasing efficiency and eliminating mistakes.

Shopping questions

When choosing a medical cart, take careful stock of your needs. How many supply drawers do you need? Which type of locking system do you prefer? How many patients will the cart serve? How quickly do you need the cart? For instance, there may be an inspection coming up that requires getting a cart within a short time period—in which case choices may have to be restricted to in-stock models as opposed to getting a more customized unit.

All in the details

Often the smallest of touches can have a significant effect on a cart’s quality and function. Consider the following:

Casters. Look for carts with high-quality casters that are at least 4 inches high. Anything smaller may give you trouble as the cart moves from carpet to linoleum, for example, the last thing you want is a medical cart that’s awkward to maneuver. Keep in mind that taller casters also make it easier to push heavier loads. Find out if the cart comes standard with tracking (or steering) casters, which help hold the cart on course, and brake casters, which secure a cart in place.

Protective features. Look for a full wraparound bumper, which acts as a protective device for walls, the cart user, and of course, the cart itself. Also, find out what kind of protective finish the cart has. For instance, 18-gauge zinc-plated steel offers maximum durability and rust protection, plus easy to clean. Verify that the cart is latex-free and if it has hospital-grade electrical accessories.

Other detailed features and options to look for:

• Divider systems for organization

• Full range of accessories

• Flexibility in drawer sizes and configurations

Supplier sense

Always make sure that your medical cart supplier is a reputable company with a history of quality products and service. The last thing you want to do is invest money in equipment from a fly-by-night organization or one that has little or no experience in making top-quality medical carts. As is usually the case, this means to be careful for the lowest-priced suppliers. Naturally, saving a few bucks on any purchase is appealing—but not when it means sacrificing quality.

Medical carts serve a critical function in the operation of the healthcare environment, but they’re not something you want to spend an excessive amount of time thinking about. Fortunately, by understanding your needs in advance and by finding a medical cart that matches your specific requirements, you’re assured of purchasing a unit that meets those needs—so you can focus on to the real work at hand. HPN

Candice Mueller is the marketing/international sales manager for Waterloo Healthcare, where she has worked for the past three years. She previously worked as the marketing director for a capital leasing company in the durable medical equipment industry. industry. Cedar Falls, IA. She may be reached at 319-277-6090 or via e-mail at cmueller@waterloohealthcare.com.