Mobile workstations are an increasingly familiar sight in hospitals. Healthcare facilities need to use innovative technology to improve patient care standards, and mobile carts provide many benefits for medical professionals during their daily shifts.

When highly-trained professionals also have the latest technology for use in the treatment of their patients, then it’s possible to raise the level of care for each patient, and hope to obtain more positive outcomes for their health.

When choosing a mobile workstation for your medical facility, you’ll want to know precisely how the investment benefits both your staff and your patients.

How quickly a physician can react to their patient’s needs can be critical in a hospital setting. Delays can lead to the worsening of a condition, and possibly even the passing of a patient.

Physicians who have a computer on wheels on their rounds can view electronic medical records at the point of care. Rather than viewing files that another physician may still need to update, hand-written documents that are difficult to read, or even inaccurate data, they see the most up-to-date records.

Physicians can update the file at the bedside, eliminating any delays in recording information in a file. Also, as the employee is adding information immediately, they are less likely to forget pertinent details, or for an administrative colleague to misread their writing and enter incorrect information.

As each professional involved in patient care can add information electronically, it’s possible to see lab results, scans, or x-rays added in real-time. This ability saves time as staff members won’t need to transport paper records from one location to another.

It’s also excellent for patient interactions as they can go through the file at the bedside with the physician, rather than information being received at different times of the day by multiple professionals.

Hospitals are typically extensive facilities, and it can take time to locate items and bring them to your patient in the ward. Using a mobile computer cart enables a physician to pack their cart with all the equipment they need before they go onto the ward.

They can add standard medical accessories such as gloves, gowns, and masks into the baskets and drawers located on the cart. They can use secure antimicrobial containers to hold contaminated material until the end of their shift.

As the medical carts also have secure locking drawers, it’s possible to transport more sensitive materials such as medications and sharps around the ward, knowing that a patient or unauthorized member of staff is unable to gain access.

This feature is excellent for saving time as physicians no longer need to attend the pharmacy or storerooms when they need equipment for their patients, as they already have it at their disposal.

When the member of staff has finished using their cart for the day, but they need to show information to multiple people, they can remove the computer from the cart and have it wall mounted for use as a display monitor. This feature is ideal when consultants need to pass on information about patients or provide updates on new procedures.

Preventing the spread of infections is another impressive advantage that a mobile workstation can bring to a hospital. Rather than many professionals being together while accessing patient files, or obtaining medications from a pharmacy, they can remain on the ward for extended periods without coming into contact with colleagues.

Disinfecting the cart before and after seeing each patient should be standard for all users, reducing the chance of infection transference. Employees can add accessories such as disposable screens and keyboard covers for an extra layer of protection. These procedures are also likely to reassure patients who can see their carers take infection control seriously.

Emergencies are a daily occurrence in a hospital, and response times are related to patient outcomes. Having a medical computer with all the relevant patient information, equipment to monitor vital signs, and specialized devices such as defibrillators, could be the difference between life and death for patients. As the carts are mobile, physicians can station their cart at the end of the ward, and they can quickly collect it on the way to a patient’s bedside in the event of an emergency.

Hospitals invest heavily in the recruitment and training of their staff, so it’s logical to give them the equipment they need to help them do their jobs to the best of their ability. Workstations on wheels can help in multiple ways, helping to provide a higher level of patient care.

KbPort Healthcare is an industry-leader and supplier of mobile medical carts, peripherals and hot-swap battery technology. Contact us for a consultation with a member of our team.

OPENING HOURS

Texas Office: (512) 756-7300

Pittsburgh Office: (412) 487-4663

OUR VALUES

DOCUMENTS