STRATEGIC SOURCING & LOGISTICS sponsored by TouchPoint Medical’s Carlson recognizes that the long-term purchasing


CARTS


patterns for carts tends to affect easy updates and upgrades. “Most procedure carts are capital purchases that are expected to


last 7-to-10+ years, and we all know that things change,” he observed. “Whether it’s a change in workfl ow, a process, packaging sizes, or new technology, many carts do not offer the fl exibility to be easily reconfi gured to meet these changing needs over time. Improving on this much needed aspect of cart design would be a worthy undertaking.” One way to facilitate adaptability is labeling, according to DSI’s Loper. “Most carts are designed with pull-out drawers or doors but don’t have a location on the handle for labeling the contents inside the drawer,” he said. “It’s kind of like kitchen cabinets at home where the drawers and doors are not labeled, but the cook inside the kitchen knows where everything is. In the hospital environment, the personnel using the carts change, so labeling to identify the contents are mission critical. Labeling the exterior of the drawer and/or door along with down to the compart- ment where the inventory is being stored. Time is everything and saving time can save lives, especially in the ED and OR.” Capsa’s Grabowski points to integration and interconnectivity with


technology as the next step. “Trends have been towards aligning the use of technology to synchro-


nize the medical support equipment across users and different areas of care,” he indicated. “Make access easier, but with greater accountability. There are cart solutions in the market that utilize individual user codes or proximity cards with basic reports showing user access. These work well when initially implemented, but maintaining credentials and user groups becomes complicated, and access and/or reliability can become an issue. Managing the user database becomes more diffi cult with contract staff and frequent personnel changes. This can become a barrier to optimizing the proper application of storage carts. Features like this may also add to the IT department’s workload.” In fact, Grabowski foresees storage carts working in conjunction


with the hospital security systems instead of a standalone department application, particularly as Internet of Things (IoT) continues to develop. “Facilities will only need to complete one New User Registration instead


of multiple ones in multiple systems,” he described. “When a new nurse starts, his or her ID badge will have the right level of access for everything they need to perform their duties – access to computer applications, electronic health records, entry doors, automated medication dispensing cabinets, and storage carts. Facilities can use this information to analyze and better understand movement and position of both personnel and capital assets to improve their workfl ows and level of patient care.” Through it all, however, InterMetro’s Salus advises keeping the practical in mind – which extends well beyond aesthetics. “The thing that needs to be improved in so many cart designs that I


have seen is the ineffective, dated designs,” he insisted. “So many carts, especially metal carts, are hard to move with a heavy build and sharp corners. They are vastly ineffi cient in providing the best possible storage and mobility, which is so essential to help maintain effective processes.”


Carts: What tends to be missing? As DSI’s Loper reiterates the need for labeling, InterMetro’s Salus emphasizes composition materials. “One I would say is a highly necessary upgrade would be switching


from a polymer-style cart,” Salus advised. “These carts are easier to clean, light, and handle the wear and tear better than metal styles, while also being easier to use and maneuver.” TouchPoint Medical’s Carlson stresses convenience and safety consid-


erations because when safety is at risk, organizations should consider upgrading sooner rather than later. Carlson cites fi ve areas, the fi rst two of which concentrate on safety and the latter three focus on convenience.


12 July 2022 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS • hpnonline.com


WORKSTATIONS


cessories from different manufacturers creating a margin of challenge for presale design and after-sale in-service demands.” Cable management is always a challenge in workstation design,


according to Capsa’s Torbett. “There is such variation in how workstations look in how they accom-


modate and hide cables and connections,” he observed. “Hiding cables helps with easier cleaning for better infection control and prevention of liquid ingress. It also helps protect cables from damage or being disconnected, which can be a common reason for workstations becom- ing non-operational. It would be helpful if hardware manufacturers would improve cables, power bricks and options for how they connect to devices as it is a source of frustration for IT and users.” Torbett cites as an example devices with power adapters integrated into the plug, which often cause obstructions when used on power strips. Compatibility is key, H+H System’s Ramcoobeer insists. “Healthcare workstations would greatly benefi t from the ability to


be directly compatible with mobility units (carts),” he noted. “There is no doubt that 2020 thrust healthcare professionals into uncharted territory, forcing the adaptation of ‘old’ equipment to serve new functions. These vital, new functions provided a moment of clarity in that we realized the direct need for cross-compatibility amongst static and mobile units.” Confi gurability can be attractive, according to TouchPoint’s Carlson. “I would focus on making the mobile computing workstation a ‘set it and forget it’ custom solution personalized to each individual caregiver,” he suggested. “Just imagine a mobile solution that through auto-recognition adjusts to your pre-set preferences – cart height, monitor height and brightness settings, lighting on the keyboard and cart worksurface that is exactly what you want and prefer and when you need it – even your choice of lighting hue and color, without add- ing any extra steps. The workstation might even be able to provide the ergonomically correct level of mobile assist power for pushing the mobile workstation based on the user’s anthropomorphic data. This would help to eliminate, or at least take away, some of the drudgery that typically goes along with using a mobile workstation solution to allow caregivers to better focus on patient care and positive patient outcomes. And it would need to have at least 20 hours of uninter- rupted runtime. I know, call me a dreamer, but there’s where all good ideas start.”


Workstations: What tends to be missing? Features missing on workstations tend to mirror some of those missing on carts, too, sources say.


Salus homes in on cleanability and design. “Look for workstations


that offer antimicrobial technology build-in. This addition is great at ensuring your workspace maintains its clean look and even keeps your workspace cleaner between cleanings,” he added. “Scalability, and the ease therein, seems to be a major obstacle most


healthcare workstations fail to overcome,” lamented Ramcoobeer. “As with carts, workfl ow and processes change, what seems to be weekly or daily. Modularity means scalability and current workstations miss this mark by not offering quick-change components that keep pace with frequent changes. Being able to scale a vital workspace up or down, easily and effectively, can be the difference between keeping up with capacity demands or suffering workfl ow ineffi ciencies.” Because the buying cycle for mobile computing workstations tends


to be rather long, many facilities likely continue to use products from 5 to 10 years ago, Carlson surmises. “There have been many advances made over that time period in cart design and power systems,” he continued. “I would suggest that if a facility is still using older models of AC-powered workstations with heavy battery solutions and inferior


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