Healthcare providers can significantly improve emergency case response time by having the right tools and equipment.
According to the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey conducted by the CDC in 2018, 43.5% of emergency hospital visits are attended to by staff in under 15 minutes. While this is a decent rate, there is a heightened need to improve it.
One way is using an efficient and reliable medical crash cart for emergencies. This easy-to-grab equipment serves as safe storage for critical care and emergency responses.
The typical construction of a hospital crash cart is steel or aluminum-made. Such metals do not easily react to chemicals or extremes in temperature or weather. Regardless of the purpose or type, medical cart manufacturers utilize these on the main frame, trays, and handles, ensuring a sturdy and light build.
An emergency cart is used to transport and dispense emergency medications and supplies. It is essential for cardiopulmonary resuscitation as it contains advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), first-line drugs, a defibrillator, a bag valve mask, and a suction device.
As the name suggests, a pediatric crash cart is used for storing pediatric medicine and supplies. In addition to the standard hospital cart contents, these contain the following:
An anesthesia cart is for holding surgical tools and anesthesia paraphernalia during an operation. It is stocked with emergency medicine, endotracheal tubes, oral and nasopharyngeal airways, IV supplies, a spare self-inflating bag, laryngeal mask airways (LMAs), laryngoscope handles, suction catheters, and blades.
Procedure or treatment carts are typically used in hospitals, nursing schools, and doctor's clinics. They can be customized to have additional tubs or dividers in the drawers for enhanced organization and easy access to supplies. Specialized waste bins for hazardous waste are a must for this type of medical cart.
An isolation cart is used to keep infection control or isolation room supplies. An isolation room is where patients suffering from infectious diseases are situated to avoid contact. Smooth panels, seamless drawers, and work surfaces mitigate the risk for infection transmission and promote ease in cleaning.
Bedside carts are used to treat patients during the recovery process. They can be left in the patient's room because they have locking drawers and wheels to safely store medical supplies.
Crash carts combine an equipment center, a dispensing unit, and a rolling cart. It stores and transports the necessary supplies and medication to the treatment scene, enabling staff to use what they need to deliver prompt, quality care.
Since hospital staff relies on them so much, medical carts should always carry complete stocks of supplies and tools. Medical emergency equipment should be readily available whenever a patient may experience an emergency or where treatment is frequently rendered by a health professional.
Most medical facilities have the following code medications in their medication drawers and code carts:
In the first drawer, you will find heart-related equipment like electrodes and gel for the ECG, a machine that measures the heart's electrical activity. The first tray also contains:
The second tray or drawer is for intubation equipment or airway supplies. The standard contents include:
The third tray in a rolling cart is for storing intravenous (IV) supplies like the following:
The fourth cabinet is also known as the medication drawer. It contains high-alert medications regularly inspected for expiration dates:
The fifth drawer in a hospital trolley keeps intravenous or IV fluids like the following:
Other crash carts, like pediatric crash carts, are built with an extra or separate drawer that houses other essentials like:
At least once a month, staff should complete the following restocking crash carts and code cart maintenance routine:
Emergency carts are an essential tool in hospitals and clinics. They store all supplies and equipment necessary to save lives. Make sure your choice of manufacturer or supplier offers reliable products and services.
For crash cart constructions that add value to your facility, choose DSI Direct. Our designs are engineered based on industry standards with consideration of your specific needs.
Contact us today at (800) 393-6090 to schedule a consultation with one of our storage experts and receive a free no-obligation price quote.
With 21 years of sales management, marketing, P&L responsibility, business development, national account, and channel management responsibilities under his belt, Ian has established himself as a high achiever across multiple business functions. Ian was part of a small team who started a new business unit for Stanley Black & Decker in Asia from Y10’ to Y14’. He lived in Shanghai, China for two years, then continued to commercialize and scale the business throughout the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions for another two years (4 years of International experience). Ian played college football at the University of Colorado from 96’ to 00’. His core skills sets include; drive, strong work ethic, team player, a builder mentality with high energy, motivator with the passion, purpose, and a track record to prove it.
