SOURCING & LOGISITICS efficient use of their carts and workstations,” Mikulak insisted. “Space is tight, there is no room for clunky equipment that does not work with the caregiver’s workflow. When they spend more time addressing the technology’s needs, they are taken away from time spent with the patient. Getting a space assessment of the area where the cli- nician needs the cart or workstation prior to purchase and being able to demo the unit to make sure it fits into their space are great ways to improve workflow and the care they provide to the patient.” Flexibility is key, particularly for desig- nated use, indicates Ian Loper, vice presi- dent, DSI. “There are boiler plate medical carts in the field used as utility carts and [for] multi- purpose use, and then there are specialty carts, specifi- cally designed for certain applications of use,” Loper noted. “Whether it be a mobile computing cart, an
Ian Loper
isolation cart, a crash cart, an anesthesia cart, a case cart or a supply exchange cart, there is something out there designed spe- cifically for the application of use. The key is to identify the requirement, and make sure all the bells and whistles are included on the specialty cart, so all the tools are available for the clinician at a moment’s notice.”
Adding options
In a world that embraces convenience, flexibility and modularity, clinical and operational end users may be embracing the addition of handheld devices and other options to encourage multipurpose func- tionality across clinical, financial and oper- ational spectrums. “Medical carts are designed with a wide range of optional accessories available for customization, including defibrillator shelves, IV poles, bin organizers, catheter holders, sharps container holders, cardiac boards, oxygen tank holders and waste bins,” Cardinal/Detecto’s Sabo coun- tered. “These accessories are often side mounted, allowing for flexibility in loading and accommodating various devices and supplies needed for portable patient care. Some carts may feature a unique corner extrusion mounting system that provides easy attachment of optional accessories in customized locations. This allows users to slide the mounting rail up or down to the desired height for the accessory, providing versatility and adaptability. “Electronic carts may offer different unlocking methods to choose from, such as one lock and individual drawer sensors, individual drawer locks and individual drawer sensors, or simply one lock,” he continued. “Detailed employee audit
tracking may also be available to track drawer openings and closings, helping to mitigate theft of sensitive items, such as narcotics, with the use of included PC software. These features and options offer customization and convenience for users of medical carts, allowing for efficient orga- nization and storage of essential equip- ment and supplies in a manner that best fits their needs.” H+H’s Ramcoobeer recognizes how tech-
nological development and advancement has progressed during the last 15 years to the point that supporting devices no longer need to be confined to a department. “These tools are now handheld and mobile
to allow for on-the-go workflow,” he indi- cated. “Especially with the development of various mobile tray-checking options, there is the ever-increasing need to have a mobile unit support all aspects of that process. [We] addressed this by being able to prove that a unit not only houses the technology needed to verify medication accuracy but also modular components – such as subdivisible bins and integrated narcotics boxes -- to then support the next phase of that process, drug replenishment. In doing so, clinicians can work confidently knowing that there is a place for everything and everything is in its place.” TouchPoint’s Mikulak acknowledges the dynamics of healthcare technology trends. “Workflows and tracking are among the most critical features requested by clini- cians and healthcare systems,” he observed. “Workstations must allow for future inte- gration of technological advancements. Touchpads, cellular phones and other sys- tem communication devices should not only be stored on workstations but integrate with systems and allow for charging to increase effectiveness. Inventory tracking, real-time location services, integrated cart health sys- tems and smaller user-friendly cart adapta- tions will benefit the caregivers. “Workstations must be designed to allow
for integration and expansion of new fea- tures based on the system and caregiver workflows,” Mikulak continued. “Patients are a critical user of workstation technology as providers update information, integrate real-time patient monitoring and allow for real-time access to scans, labs and other fea- tures for patient training and knowledge. The workstation is the central hub for all caregiver interfaces within the healthcare system, charting, bar-code scanning, RFID tracking and medication management at the location of the patient.”
DSI’s Loper envisions tech-festooned carts
and workstations as “smart” products with an operating system that empowers them and the clinician end user to help them do their jobs.
10 June 2023 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS •
hpnonline.com
Demanded features What do end users want to see on their cart and workstation products, if possible? “Key capabilities revolve around the tech- nology platform identified by the healthcare system, according to TouchPoint’s Mikulak. “EMR, medication management and system integration within the facility infrastructure is paramount,” he continued. “Healthcare systems continue to evolve and advance their technology, but it cannot create a neg- ative impact on the patient care or caregiver interface. User features must be intuitive, controllable and ergonomic. Information displays, touchscreens and storage systems must be intuitive with easy understand- ing and limited training for proficiency. Personalization of these features should allow for caregiver control of screen layout, lighting control, setting changes and storage of this information based on RFID or user access control settings. “Easy-to-read cart health is critical, by informing the caregiver of battery life, cart issues, interface with other systems like service and other related warnings and cautions, ensuring that the caregiver can focus on patient care,” Mikulak added. “Large worksurfaces that are not limited by keyboard or monitor placement to allow for caregivers to prepare medications and other tasks without the need to reset your workstation.”
Convenience coupled with security is par- amount, according to Cardinal/Detecto’s Sabo. “In the current crisis of drug diver- sion, ensuring added security combined with quick access to drawer contents is cru- cial,” he said. “Added security and speedy drawer access don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Electronic carts now offer unique and sophisticated ways to securely lock up drawer contents, including theft-prone narcotics, while providing quick access for verified healthcare professionals. Features such as drawer alarms for forced entry, open drawer alarms, and an audit trail of drawer opens with time/date and personnel access information ensure narcotic safety and staff accountability. User setup can be easily done at the cart or with included Windows software.
As opioid abuse and drug-related deaths continue to be a pressing issue, healthcare providers must take aggressive steps to pre- vent drug diversion, Sabo argues. “Electronic carts now offer multiple unlocking and access authorization meth- ods, such as individual PIN entry on a touchscreen keypad, touchless RFID card badge scanner, or a combination of both for dual entry protection,” he noted. “This allows for specific drawers on the cart to be unlocked based on individual needs and security levels, enabling quick access to
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