Category: Medical

As the summer months approach, people are starting to enjoy more outside activities. While it’s great that a lot of people are getting outside, it also bring with it some inherit risks, and usually leads to more ER visits. With the coronavirus pandemic still lingering, people are clamoring to get outside and enjoy the nice weather even more than usual, which will undoubtedly lead to more accidents occurring. Hospitals and emergency rooms nationwide should be prepared for an influx in visits with more people enjoying outside activities.  

It’s no secret that ER visits increase in the warmer summer months, with many studies and data showing so. In fact, visits to the ER can increase by 15-27% during the summer compared to the other seasons. There’s many different reasons for the increased number of trips to the emergency room including:  

One of the most important pieces of equipment in any ER is a good crash cart. Crash carts should have everything that a clinic would need to treat any emergency and are very helpful in these situations where there isn’t a lot of time to prepare.  

Lakeside offers different lines for crash carts which are customizable to ensure that they have everything your specific department needs. The Classic Crash Carts are a staple in many facilities, and have been helping hospitals deal with emergencies for many years. The Preferred Crash Carts are a step up, and come equipped with tons of life-saving features to take the worry off of doctors. If neither of those crash carts seem right for your ER, then the Persolife Emergency Cart with a European design may be the answer! Crash carts are crucial for emergency departments to function efficiently and effectively, and Lakeside offers some of the best in the business. Additionally, these carts are super customizable and can be configured to work perfectly in any ER.  

Another very important part of an ER is equipment stands for surgical procedures. Patients will inevitably come to the emergency room in urgent need of an operation. Doctors and healthcare staff do not have time to get everything prepared in these spur of the moment situations, which is why clinics have to make sure that their emergency department is already prepared for anything. Good quality equipment stands help make sure that surgeons are ready to operate and do not have to worry about having the right tools for the job.  

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner, which means that outdoor activities are on the rise. After many people were stuck in their houses throughout the winter with not much outdoor time and even less social events due to the pandemic, do not be surprised if you see people flooding outside this summer. Unfortunately, this will lead to more trips to the ER, which is why it’s more important than ever that hospitals have everything in place to deal with the increased activity. Get in touch with us at Lakeside, and let us know how we can help equip your facility’s ER with everything they’ll need this summer!  

For the first time in history, overall health spending decreased in 2020 because of COVID-19. The hospital systems had to focus on dealing with the coronavirus and because of this, a lot of other areas of care substantially decreased or even stopped altogether. Many hospitals had less capital to spend on equipment and supplies than in previous years which caused some clinics to be forced to get by with what they already have.  

Getting by without buying new equipment isn’t too difficult if a hospital has invested in good quality, multi-functional equipment. Versatile equipment was instrumental in the success that many healthcare facilities had dealing with COVID, as it allowed them to utilize the equipment and supplies that they already had in different ways than they previously had. It’s always a good idea for hospitals to have the types of equipment that allows them to be flexible and change things up when need be.  

Lakeside manufactures many products to be multi–functional and versatile, so that hospitals can utilize them in many different ways.  

The 311 Utility Cart is one of the best examples of an extremely functional product that can add value to any clinic. This utility cart was the first product ever made by Lakeside Manufacturing and is still one of the most popular products for a good reason. The 311 boasts durable, unitized electronically welded stainless steel angle leg design as well as reinforced stainless steel shelves. The legs are constructed from 20 gauge stainless steel, the sound deadening panels under the shelves ensure that there are minimal vibrations and noise during transport. To put it simply, this cart is built to last and will add value to any facility for many years to come.  

The 311 Utility Cart is not only built to be super strong and durable, it’s also very versatile and can be used in many different ways. Here are just some of the ways that the 311 Utility Cart can be utilized: 

Transport: This utility cart is a great option for transporting all sorts of supplies throughout hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The 311 uses sturdy 3.5” casters and is equipped with bumpers to protect other furniture, equipment, and walls while moving the cart. This ultimate utility cart can be used to transport a large variety of supplies, up to 300 lbs. Some of the items that hospitals have found the 311 to be useful in transporting include medical instruments, disposables, PPE, and even ventilators. The 311 is also commonly used for food transport from the cafeteria to patient rooms all throughout a facility.  

Storage: The 311 Utility Cart is a perfect solution for additional storage space in any facility. The 300 lb. carrying capacity of the utility cart allows it to be loaded up with any supplies or other medical equipment. Additionally, the 311 can be maneuvered to fit into a lot of different spaces so that your facility can add storage space wherever it needs it.  

Extra Work Surface: Another way to use the 311 is for additional work surface. A smooth top that is 24” x 15 ½“ provides plenty of space for staff to set up a laptop or computer and still have extra room for a notebook or other supplies. Easy maneuverability allows healthcare workers to set up the 311 wherever it may be needed for a work area. Another area where the 311 can be used for work surface is in the cafeteria or kitchen. This utility cart is a great way to add space for food prep, and can double as the delivery method.  

Another great product that is versatile and can add value in different ways is the 356 Compact Utility Stand. This equipment stand is the perfect solution for adding a little extra work surface in an OR, and provides an area to keep important surgical equipment. This stand is the most compact cart that Lakeside offers, but because of its sturdy stainless steel design it still boasts a carrying capacity of 300 lbs.  

The 356 Compact Utility Stand can be used for many different applications including: 

Storage Space: This equipment stand can be loaded up to 300lbs, meaning that it can hold almost anything that can fit on it. The stand is also very compact, measuring at just 18 ¾” wide x 16 ¾” long, which allows it to be placed in small areas where other carts couldn’t fit. This helps add storage space where it oftentimes cannot be added with other equipment. This cart also comes with the option of a lock for the drawer which allows a facility to keep valuables in a convenient storage space.  

Extra Work Surface: The 356 is also a great way to add some extra work surface to a room that doesn’t have a lot of extra space. The compact equipment stand is easy to move into small spaces and comes with the option for braking casters to secure the cart once it’s placed where it’s needed. Whenever a surgeon or other doctor needs a little bit of extra space to keep their supplies and medical equipment, the 356 is a great solution for doing so.  

The future is always uncertain, especially in the healthcare industry which was displayed with the coronavirus pandemic. Although we may not know what will happen next, we do know one of the best ways to be prepared for the future, is to be prepared for anything by investing in versatile equipment. Medical equipment that is single-function and cannot be adapted has its place, but multi-functional equipment is a true game changer when it comes to emergency preparedness. The ability to be flexible with room configurations and equipment placement was very crucial for hospitals dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to be very important for healthcare facilities to be able to deal with any situation that may come their way in the future.   

Throughout the course of the pandemic, there’s been many trends and adjustments in healthcare, but one of the biggest trends we’ve seen has been the use of telemedicine and virtual care. The use of virtual healthcare skyrocketed with the threat of COVID-19 in the air, but will it remain an option after the pandemic ends?

There’s many differing opinions on how much telehealth will stick around after coronavirus, so let’s take a look at how it has worked during the pandemic. 

As previously mentioned, the use of telehealth went up drastically with all of the social distancing measures in place. Before the pandemic engulfed the world, telehealth visits accounted for less than 1% of all medical encounters. But after finding out about the highly contagious nature of the coronavirus, telemedicine peaked at about37% of all medical encounters in May, decreased to around 22% in July, and has remained at about 15% since August. 

One of the largest barriers to the widespread use of telehealth at the beginning of the pandemic was the lack of insurance coverage. However, this changed in March of 2020, when the Center for Medicine and Medicaidannounced that they had expanded coverage for telemedicine and made it equivalent to in-person visits. This made it so that virtual visits could be paid at the same rate as in-person visits. Once the CMS announced this expanded coverage, many private health insurance companies followed suit and expanded their coverage as well, opening the door for more widespread use of telehealth. 

This was a big step for the expansion of telehealth, but the question remained: Does telehealth really work? 

A study performed by The College of Family Physicians of Canada, found that the diagnostic accuracy of virtual visits was between71% and 91%. This shows that the diagnostic accuracy of telemedicine is on par with in-person visits. In fact, some fields of medicine, such a behavioral health, may be even better suited for virtual visits rather than in-person. With virtual visits, patients are in their own homes where they are more comfortable, which can be beneficial for practitioners who are trying to diagnose a mental health issue.

Although telemedicine has been extremely beneficial for both doctors and patients throughout the pandemic, there are still some downsides that need to be addressed. 

Bad connectivity and not enough bandwidth:When all the technology works well, telemedicine can be very effective and convenient, but that’s not always the case. Connectivity issues such as poor audio or video quality can be a big problem with both patients and doctors, and lead to lots of frustration on all ends. Some rural patients do not have the bandwidth to support video and some people do not have internet access at all making telehealth services completely useless for them. 

Some diagnosis require in-person visits:There’s some medical issues that simply cannot be diagnosed and treated virtually, and require patients to visit a clinic in-person. Furthermore, there’s routine checkups that have to be done in-person, such as a sonogram for a pregnant woman. Telemedicine, at least as we know it, will not be able to replace these types of visits in the near future. 

Lack of consistency: Another issue that patients have had with virtual visits, is the lack of consistency. Every clinic has its own method of booking appointments and can use difference technologies. One visit may be over skype while another could be over zoom, and this lack of technological consistency has been troublesome for some patients who have been seeking virtual care. 

Although there are some limitations with telehealth, its benefits have been proven over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. That brings us to the big question: Will virtual health visits stick around after the coronavirus?

While there’s no clear answer to how much telehealth will be utilized when the world returns to normal, there is a general consensus that there is space for virtual visits in the healthcare landscape. Some of the regulatory and payment concerns have already been solved with many insurers starting to cover telehealth the same as in-person visits, which opens the door for telehealth to continue after the pandemic. Additionally, certain fields such as mental and behavioral health have seen benefits from using telemedicine, and virtual visits will likely continue to have a strong impact for these specialized visits. 

With that being said, healthcare facilities should be prepared to start seeing more patients for routine visits now that the vaccine rollout is underway. 

Vaccines are being administered, but that doesn’t mean that all safety measures should be abandoned. Healthcare facilities that are beginning to see more patients for in-person visits still have safety measures in place to make sure that COVID-19 doesn’t spread among patients. Many facilities are doingtemperature checks and screening for other coronavirus symptoms before patients enter. Masks are still required in these facilities, and other measures are being taken to limit contact between patients. 

One example of this is instead of checking in and sitting in the waiting room, patients are asked to wait in their cars until they receive a text message letting them know that the doctor is ready to see them. This helps limit the interpatient contact by a lot, and there will surely be many more examples of innovative measures to ensure the safety of patients in the coming months. 

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities should also make sure that they have all the best equipment and supplies in place to handle more patients in-person again. Over the course of the pandemic, many facilities had to be flexible and use their equipment in different ways. Hospitals should make sure that all of their equipment is still in working order, and that they are prepared with supplies for more patients. 

Now that the coronavirus pandemic is beginning to appear in the rearview mirror, hospital are trying to figure out the future of healthcare facility design. COVID-19 brought to light some of the mishaps of current styles and designs, and provided a framework of how facilitates should look going forward. 

Hospitals are one of the trickiest facilities to design or upgrade and renovate because there are so many different factors to consider. Healthcare facilities have to be highly functional, provide a comforting environment for patients, integrate multiple departments seamlessly, be built in a cost-effective way, as well as meet all of the strict regulatory requirements for healthcare facilities among many other considerations. 

The most important factor to consider when upgrading a hospital or building a new facility is undoubtedly the infrastructure. A hospital can only be as good as its infrastructure, and according to a report from the Royal College of Physicians, the infrastructure should facilitate the seven domains of quality. These domains are patient experience, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, safety, equity, and sustainability. Hospital infrastructure is very complex and encompasses many different things such as the building design, equipment, IT, systems and processes, sustainability initiatives, staff and more. 

Let’s take a closer look at the importance of equipment in hospital infrastructure. Purchasing and effectively implementing the right equipment for a hospital is imperative for the facility to run efficiently and maintain a high quality of care for patients. 

Most businesses believe that the customer comes first, and healthcare is no different, expect instead of a customer, it’s a patient. The patient experience is one of the most important factors to consider when setting up a healthcare facilities infrastructure because if the patient feels comfortable and safe in a hospital, they are likely to go back to the same hospital for any future healthcare needs.

The patient experience depends upon many things as well, but setting up a facility with a comforting design and high quality equipment certainly improves it. Whether a patient comes in for a quick check-up, or must stay in the hospital for weeks, having the right equipment in place is important to making their stay go smoother.

The Lakeside Preferred Hybrid Elite Medical Carts are the perfect solution for any healthcare facility that is looking to upgrade its equipment in the wake of COVID. These medical carts help improve a facilities infrastructure in just about every domain of quality. 

Patient Experience: Investing in high-quality medical equipment such as the Preferred Elite Medical Carts from Lakeside is a great way to improve the patient experience. These carts come in 23 different colors so that they fit seamlessly into any facilities color scheme. The sharp design works with all types of hospital styles, and can improve how a patient views the hospital. When all of the equipment is high quality and looks the part, the patient is likely to have a better opinion of the care they receive. 

Effectiveness: Not only do the Preferred Elite Carts look great, but they are very effective at improving staff performance. The world-class sealed bearing, non-marking 5” casters along with twin ergonomic push handles make it a breeze for any staff member to maneuver these carts around a facility. The carts come equipped with loads of great features and also add workspace which makes it easy for doctors and nurses to carry out all the necessary tasks. 

Efficiency: Lakeside’s Preferred Elite Carts are the ultimate efficiency booster in the hospital. These carts weigh 20% less than traditional steel carts while adding flexibility. The Preferred Elite Carts are constructed with a hybrid of aluminum and steel, which helps them weigh less while still providing top-quality durability. 

Safety: As the COVID-19 pandemic proved, cleanliness is key in healthcare facilities. The Preferred Elite Carts from Lakeside are made to be easily cleaned and sanitized. With a powder coated steel frame, aluminum drawers, and a removeable plastic top tray, these carts are simple to disinfect. Additionally, for added security and safety, these carts have an array of lock options available in order to protect the supplies inside. 

Sustainability: While they are 20% lighter than traditional all steel medical carts, the Preferred Elite Carts are just as strong and durable. The steel frame with durable aluminum drawers, dual-wall construction, and outrigger stabilizing frame ensure that these carts will last for years to come. With a Lakeside cart, facilities don’t need to worry about replacing them in a few years. 

Lakeside’s medical equipment is all great quality, and is sure to improve any facility’s infrastructure. There are loads of super versatile and good looking products that will help staff excel at their jobs, while also looking great to patients. Lakeside’s equipment, such as the Preferred Elite Medical Carts, allow nurses and doctors to rest assured that they have the right supplies and equipment at hand. When the staff doesn’t have to worry about their supplies, they can spend more time worrying about the patient, which makes a better experience for everyone. 

Browse our website and take a look at all the great products that will take your facility to the next level. Get in contact, and let us know how we can help upgrade your facility’s equipment to improve the hospital experience for staff and patients alike!

COVID-19 has affected our healthcare system dramatically, with hospitals having to completely shift gears in order to treat patients infected with the coronavirus. This shift changed what procedures hospitals were able to complete after having to make room in beds for COVID patients. One of the areas of care that almost completely stopped was elective surgeries.  

Elective surgeries are all types of surgical procedures which do not pose an immediate health threat or qualify as an emergency. This doesn’t mean that they are optional, rather it means that they can be scheduled in advance. Elective surgeries range from less vital cosmetic surgeries such as removing a wart or mole, to very serious and important procedures like removing a kidney stone or a hip replacement. Elective surgeries are an essential part of healthcare and keeping the country healthy in the long term.  

While the coronavirus pandemic is not yet over, the light at the end of the tunnel is finally appearing, and with that light comes the return of normal healthcare procedures, including long put-off elective surgeries. In fact, a study done by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that there will be a cumulative backlog of about 1 million elective surgeries 2 years after the end of elective surgery deferment. This means that it’s going to take quite some time before our healthcare system returns to normal, even after the end of COVID-19 concerns.  

The end of the deferment of elective surgeries certainly seems like it’s beginning, as many reports of hospitals beginning to perform elective surgeries again have come out over the past few weeks. Coronavirus cases are down, but even more importantly, coronavirus patients that are in need of hospital care are down as well, which has opened up space for facilities to perform other procedures once again.  

With all of the changes that hospitals had to make in order to care for coronavirus patients, it may take a little time getting back to normal functioning because facilities changed how their equipment was being used. With that in mind, it is very important for hospitals to make sure that they have the right equipment in operating rooms for elective surgeries.  

Some of the most important equipment that is necessary in an OR are good quality surgical case carts. Keeping an OR sterile and disinfected has always been of utmost importance in hospitals, but with the COVID-19 pandemic not quite behind us yet, it is even more crucial. One of the best ways to maintain a sterile environment is to utilize equipment which can be cleaned and disinfected very quickly and easily.  

Lakeside’s stainless steel closed case carts are the perfect solution for transporting surgical tools and supplies into the OR. Stainless steel is one of the easiest materials to sanitize and ensure that no germs are being transported along with the essential equipment. Lakeside also offers case carts in various sizes and configurations in order to work perfectly in any healthcare facility.  

A great option for a facility in need of a smaller capacity and a very maneuverable cart would be the 6930 Classic Case Cart. The cart is 39” tall and utilizes all-welded stainless steel construction for top-of-the-line durability and quality. The cart includes 270° opening doors for easy access with a pull-out stainless wire shelf. The 6930 also comes standard with a paddle latch to secure contents during transport. Additionally, the cart is highly configurable and customizable with all of the accessories that your facility may need.  

Another awesome option if your facility is in need of some more space is the 6945P Classic Case Cart. This cart comes equipped with all of the same great features as the 6930, but on bigger frame. The cart is 54” tall and boasts two stainless wire shelves in the double door frame. This product is a great solution for added workspace as well as transporting essential surgical supplies. Built on 4 premium 6” all-swivel Medcasters with precision ball bearings and two standard brakes, this cart is extremely easy to maneuver around a facility and bring into the OR when it is needed.  

Lakeside has much more to offer than just carts, here’s some other equipment that can improve productivity in the OR.  

Mayo Stands are an essential part of any operating room, and Lakeside has some great options in that department. The Double Post Mayo Stand is constructed of chrome plated steel tubing with a round surface to ensure that there are no corners where dirt or grime can collect. This stand also comes with a removeable stainless steel tray for easy disinfection after use. The tray height is adjustable from 34” to 53” so that it will be the perfect height for any surgeon.  

Instrument Tables are another key part of operating rooms. Lakeside has a line of stainless steel nesting instrument tables for all needs. The stainless steel construction ensures that they can be easily disinfected after use, and will be super durable. Additionally, when not in use, the tables will nest together to take up the least amount of space possible, and can be easily moved to expand work surface area.  

Another great addition to any OR is the Compact Utility Stand. This stainless steel stand boasts a 300 lb. capacity and is super versatile. With 3.5” all-swivel casters, the stand is super easy to maneuver and its compact design can fit in tight spaces. The Compact Utility Stand is a perfect solution for operating rooms that need extra work and storage area, but don’t have room for lots of additional equipment.  

With elective surgeries back on track, it is extremely important for hospitals and other healthcare facilities to have all of the right equipment in place. 

Lakeside Manufacturing is here to help, with a full line of Case Carts, as well as tons of other great products for use in the OR. Get in touch, and let us know how we can help your facility get back on track in the return to normalcy! 

Throughout 2020, we took many measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 such as wearing a mask, socially distancing, and washing our hands frequently. It helped slow the spread of coronavirus, but we did not get completely past the pandemic with this alone. However, taking all of these precautions drastically impacted the influenza virus; another respiratory virus similar to the coronavirus.  

In fact, according to the CDC, there was a 98% decrease in influenza activity compared to previous years. Across the board, flu rates are at historical lows in the United States and around the world. Besides the measures put in place because of COVID, another factor in the low incidence rates of influenza is the increase in vaccinations. There have been over 188 million doses of flu vaccines distributed this year, which is an increase of over 19 million doses compared to the same point in 2019 in the US.  

It’s not clear if the low rates of the flu will continue in the post-pandemic world, but it will depend upon various factors, and what we’ve learned this past year can certainly improve the overall impact of the flu. People are unlikely to continue social distancing and wearing masks once the coronavirus is no longer a threat, but there may be a higher level of awareness surrounding germs and hand hygiene, which could help reduce the number of yearly flu cases.  

It’s possible that if a school becomes highly infected with the flu, that they could switch to virtual learning for a couple of weeks to reduce the community spread. This would be possible because COVID has made the infrastructure available for a school to do this. The same would be possible for many workplaces which have switched to remote working. Additionally, the stigma around staying home sick from work may be reduced, as throughout the pandemic businesses and workers have proved to be successful in working from home.  

2020 was a very difficult year for the healthcare industry as they were faced with so many new challenges, mainly stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak. Because of the nature of the highly contagious virus, last year saw some major changes to the design of healthcare facilities, and these changes are likely here to stay. Here are some trends for healthcare construction that the experts expect to continue through 2021:  

Lots of hospitals are quite large, but you may have noticed that they have fairly narrow hallways. This hasn’t been a big problem in the past, but with the easily transmittable coronavirus around, facilities need to widen their hallways so that patients aren’t crossing paths too closely. Another way to combat this issue is to design more efficient pathways through the building to reduce the amount of people who walk past each other. An example of this would be to designate certain hallways as one way. Widening hallways can be a very expensive renovation, so designing better pathways through the building is a good way to reduce the spread of viruses from patient to patient.  

In addition to wider hallways, healthcare facilities are also noticing a need for more space in general and larger rooms. Hospital rooms need to be able to facilitate more people comfortably and safely, with an appropriate amount of space for social distancing.  

Another trend that helps add space that is expected to continue is flexible facility layouts. Adding dividers or other means of safely separating people is a much cheaper option than fully renovating existing spaces. Adjustable room formats, including mobile equipment like medical carts and tables is a trend that is expected to continue in 2021 and beyond.  

2. Larger Use of Automation in Healthcare Facilities 

As we all know, COVID vaccines are starting to be administered to the public and although we wish it was, it’s not an easy process. In fact, administering enough vaccines to get past the pandemic is extremely complex as there are so many small details that must be considered. With all the precarious aspects of administering vaccines to such a large number of people, no healthcare facility should have to worry about having the right equipment in place in order to give out the shots. That’s why Lakeside Manufacturing has immunization station essential products to facilitate the whole process and allow our healthcare workers to focus on their patients. 

Here are just some of our products that will simplify the immunization process:  

Crash carts are an essential part of every hospital’s equipment and can improve a doctor’s ability to save a life with their readily available essential supplies. Every healthcare facility that may have to deal with emergency health situations should have crash carts on hand, and Lakeside Manufacturing offers many different types and configurations to ensure that your facility is covered.  

The Classic Crash Cart line is super customizable, built sturdy, and the perfect solution for any hospital. The Classic Crash Carts are available in four different sizes: 

With all the different sizing options, you’ll be sure to find the ideal cart for your facility. Although all the models are different in size, they share some great attributes including: 

Breakaway Locks: All of the Classic Crash Carts come equipped with breakaway locks to be used with plastic seals. These locks are the perfect way to make sure that the contents have not been tampered with and to let you know when a drawer has been opened so you can replace the supplies or medications.  

Twin Ergonomic Push Handles: The twin ergo push handles play a critical role in improving the carts’ functionality. Crash carts are mostly used in health emergencies and when there is no time to spare, wasting time getting the cart where it has to be is unacceptable. These push handles make it easy to transport the cart to the patient regardless of which personnel are in charge of moving it, and the ergonomic design ensures that your workers won’t have to deal with any pains after moving the cart.  

5” Sealed Bearing, Non-marking Casters: The classic line of crash carts comes with these world-class casters to provide quiet mobility whenever the crash cart needs to be used. Nobody wants to hear squeaking and other unruly noises whenever they have to transport a cart, and rest assured that you won’t with the Classic Crash Carts.  

Finish and Color Options: The Classic Crash Carts come in two different frames, either powder-coated steel or aluminum frames. The carts also are available in a variety of colors in order to fit in seamlessly with any facility’s color scheme.  

Get in touch with us for more details or a quote! Give us a call at 414.902.6400, or email us at info@elakeside.com and we’ll work with you to design the perfect crash cart for your facility! 

What is a Crash Cart?  

Crash cart is a general term that applies to a mobile cart containing everything needed to administer care immediately in the case of an emergency. Although they may slightly differ in looks and specific contents, every facility that may have to deal with a sudden health emergency should have a crash cart on hand.  

What goes in a Crash Cart? 

Crash carts are designed so that everything that may be needed to deal with an emergency is readily available. Most crash carts have at least five drawers, with the smallest drawer size at the top and the largest drawer on the bottom. This common design makes it simple for healthcare workers to recognize the cart, and know where the medication or supplies that they need will be.  

Externally 

On top of most crash carts, you will find a biphasic defibrillator with adult paddles and adult multi-purpose pads, along with pads and paddles for infants visible next to it. Along with the defibrillator, the NIH suggests placing Ambu-bags, with facemasks and oxygen tube connectors in both adult and child sizes on one side. On the other side, they recommend placing a compressed oxygen tank along with a CPR backboard on the back of the cart.  

Internally  

The top couple of drawers in a crash cart should contain essential resuscitation medications that are all clearly marked and sorted. These drawers will usually be compartmentalized in order to allow medications to be stored separately and be visible at first glance.  

The third drawer is usually designated to contain all the supplies needed to establish peripheral intravenous access rapidly. This includes things like angiocatheters, needles, alcohol wipes, syringes and much more.  

The fourth drawer of many crash carts is designed to store respiratory equipment and supplies.  

The fifth drawer is mainly designated for holding larger supplies and instruments that are needed for special emergency procedures such as central venous catheters, intraosseous kits, chest tubes, thoracostomy kits, suture sets, trauma tourniquets and more.  

How to use a Crash Cart efficiently?  

The biggest factor when it comes to using crash carts effectively is organization. Healthcare personnel should not have to struggle to find the supplies they need in the case of an emergency, and the best way to ensure this is a well-organized and stocked crash cart. One great way to keep everything in order is a laminated list of the contents of each drawer that is placed on the outside of each drawer in clear sight. Another technique to keep medications clear and in the right spot in the top drawers is to separate any medications with similar names so they are not next to each other in the drawers and eliminate any unnecessary confusion.  

Breakaway plastic locks on crash carts are another great safety feature that many carts have integrated to reduce any confusion about which supplies had been used. It is also very important to have qualified personnel regularly inspect the contents of crash carts and restock as needed after every use.  

Why are Crash Carts the perfect solution?  

When used effectively, crash carts are the perfect solution for medical emergencies. They are stocked with all of the supplies, equipment, and medications that may be needed to provide immediate care, and are labeled in a way that removes any confusion. Crash carts allow healthcare workers to not have to worry about having the right supplies, and to focus all of their energy on the patient that is in need of immediate attention. Crash carts are a staple in all healthcare facilities that may have to deal with emergency health situations, and they will remain so for the foreseeable future.