During a medical emergency, fumbling around for the right tool isn't an option. A messy supply drawer causes frustration, slows down response time, and creates an unsanitary condition. Whether it's a large hospital or a small private practice, having a tidy medical cart is a must. Here's how to organize a medical cart the right way:
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1. Sort the Drawers
Most mobile telehealth carts have several drawers. Arranging these drawers in a clear, concise way is essential. For example, commonly used supplies such as medical tablets, which you can find here, should reside in the same section. It's also a good idea to have a separate compartment for pediatric supplies. Be sure to lock every drawer when not in use, especially those containing needles, syringes, or medications.
Drawers get a lot of use throughout the day. Doctors and nurses often dig through them to find the right tool, and a once organized section may become cluttered. That's why it's wise to restock and reorganize the drawers at the start of each shift to ensure the cart is ready for anything.
2. Label Every Drawer
There's no time to guess what's inside each drawer of the medical cart. Many facilities have multiple carts, and workers often share them. What's inside the top drawer of one cart may be completely different from the next. Labeling every drawer of each cart will help medical workers find what they need in a hurry.
It only takes a few minutes to label a cart properly. Each label should clearly state what's stored inside the compartments. Instead of writing on the cart with a permanent marker, consider investing in a label maker. This way, others can create new labels if the supplies inside a particular drawer ever change.
3. Store Large Items
Not every tool fits inside a medical cart. For instance, oxygen tanks, monitors, and defibrillators are large and bulky, but workers still need to access them in a hurry. That's why it's necessary to find an alternative place to store larger supplies.
Storing these items in a separate room is an option, but it's not an ideal scenario during an emergency. Instead, it's best to keep larger supplies alongside the medical cart. Consider installing organizers, like baskets or trays, to the outside of each medical cart.
4. Identify Hazardous Items
It's not uncommon to run across hazardous items in a medical setting. However, these supplies need to be clearly marked and carefully stored on a medical cart. Place hazardous items, such as sharps or trash, in a separate compartment. This will prevent these materials from contaminating other supplies. For added safety, make sure the chosen drawer has dual-locking capabilities.
5. Store First-Line Supplies
Some of the most commonly used supplies in a medical cart include gloves and face masks. Since these first-line supplies are non-hazardous, it's safe to store them on the outside of the cart. Once again, attaching a basket to the side of the cart makes it easy for medical professionals to grab these items in a hurry.
Customize Every Medical Cart
Every medical facility has different needs, and these needs may change over time. That's why it's so important to customize every drawer and compartment of the medical cart. A well-organized cart should make it easy to find supplies quickly. Taking the time to sort all the medical carts now will help improve patient response times and accuracy.
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All med techs in nursing homes quickly learn the best ways to organize their patients' medications. So, here are some tips for med techs looking to keep organized.
The primary responsibility of a med tech involves assisting physicians and nurses. This can occur in many different ways. Additionally, tasks may vary depending on the facility in question and the needs of the patient. Responsibilities may include:
Taking medical history from patients and family
Assisting nurses in providing medications as recommended by a physician
Monitor patient reactions to drugs and report any changes or reactions
Help with administrative tasks, such as answering phones or scheduling appointments
Lifting patients for transport
Explaining medical procedures to patients
Preparing patients for medical procedures
Cleaning and sterilizing medical equipment and work areas
Suturing wounds
Here are some tips on how a certified med tech can best organize their medical carts. Keeping your medical cart organized is the best way to reduce confusion and decrease treatment times. Moreover, good organizational habits go a long way.
The exact composition of your medical cart may vary on your needs at that moment. Administering IVs, handing out medication, and emergency situations all require easy access to different supplies.
Any large items, like oxygen tanks or portable defibrillators, should be placed on the outside of the cart. This will allow for easy access and also reduce the need to move them to access smaller items. Also, some carts can also have different organizers like baskets placed to store bulkier items.
Most experienced med techs know that drawers are one of the first things to fall into disorganization. Frequently-used supplies should be kept in the same drawer for easy access. On the other hand, items that don't receive as much attention should be kept in a separate drawer. This ensures that items can be accessed swiftly and easily, allowing for rapid treatment. Also note that implementing the use of drawer separators will prove useful. This will guarantee that items don't intermingle during transport.
The last thing you want in an emergency is to reach for a necessary item and find it missing. Restocking your cart regularly will help reduce the risk of this happening. This also helps you feel confident about your supplies when you start your next shift. The end of your shift is a valuable time to arrange or organize your cart.
In most mid-to-large-sized facilities, medical carts are shared between medical professionals. Clearly labeling every drawer will minimize confusion and create greater transparency. It also keeps staff and other Med Techs in the loop.
Another way to organize or stock a medical cart is through checklists. This way, different medical professionals will know what needs to be re-stocked or stored on a particular cart. Also be sure to write the expiration dates next to all medications on the list. This will make it easier to replace outdated medications without having to check every container.
Clearly label and identify any hazardous materials on your medical cart. In most cases, you can store hazardous items in a lower drawer with dual-locking capabilities. Keeping a sharp box or trash container onboard is another important component of your medical cart. Safely store these items to prevent patients and employees from interacting with needles or contaminated supplies.
Store any nonhazardous items in a basket outside of your medical cart. These include things like gloves, masks, or extra electrodes.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or still learning the main responsibilities of a med tech, there's always more to learn. If you need help finding placement in a nursing home in Pennsylvania, you can rely on the resources from CynaMed.
The company is the world’s best pediatric hospital bed supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.