Medical trolleys or medication carts are found in most clinics and hospitals as healthcare professionals use them to take lifesaving equipment and medications where they are required while at the same time keeping them secured when not being used.
Standard medication carts come with a set of features and lock options to keep medication safe inside the drawers.
It is important to choose the combination of features that you need as it should be a balance of security and convenience:
Here’s what you should look for in a medication cart with locks:
Customisable Drawers
Customisable drawers mean that you can choose the size of the compartment your healthcare personnel needs based on the size of the medications they prefer to stock.
This feature ensures that the medication trolleys used in the clinic or hospital are customised to suit the facility’s conditions. For example, medical practitioners that work with infants will most probably need to use the smallest drawers to ensure that the small equipment and medications are easy to access. On the other hand, an emergency room will need large medication carts with drawers that allow them to stock large equipment and supplies.
Medication Cart with Lock Security Options
The lock options ensure that there is a proper locking system that will prevent the theft of medication. The standard lock system has a small latch that snaps into the base of the medication cart to keep the drawers secure.
Physical locks
This type of lock is mainly used in clinics and hospitals but is less convenient as it has to be unlocked with a key every time someone needs to use the medication trolley.
Biometrics lock
The biometric lock is the safest locking option as it allows only authorised personnel to access the medication trolley. It uses fingerprint identification technology to help secure the trolley.
Medication trolleys with locks are generally found in hospitals and pharmacies. They are meant to be used by healthcare providers who carry the trolleys with them as they move around the hospital.
Ergonomics and Manoeuvrability
Ergonomics refers to the design of the medication trolleys in terms of configuration, size, weight, height, and other characteristics that ensure their easy storage, usage, and handling.
The medication trolleys are considered ergonomically designed when they are easy to use and can be manoeuvred in tight spaces.
Easy Sanitation
Easy sanitation makes it easier and quicker for healthcare personnel to clean and maintain medication trolleys. Although this is not a feature that healthcare personnel look for in a medication cart, it is often the first consideration of the facility manager.
Brand and Reputation
Purchasing a medication cart with a lock is similar to buying any other medical equipment. The first thing to do is to check on the manufacturer’s reputation as this will tell you about the quality of the product you’ll be getting. For instance, PP Healthcare Solutions’ medication trolleys are known for their superior quality.
Conclusion
Medical trolleys are easy to store and carry, making them convenient for healthcare personnel to use. The trolleys are lightweight, making the cleaning and maintenance process more manageable.
The trolleys are also customisable, allowing you to choose the size of the compartment based on the size of the medication you prefer to keep inside. Active medication trolleys are also the safest as they have the locking features that prevent theft of medication.
Ergonomics, manoeuvrability, sanitation, brand, and reputation are essential features to consider when choosing the right medication trolley for your clinic or hospital.
PP Healthcare Solutions Ltd. is a leading supplier of high-quality medical storage units, including multi-function trolleys, mobile cupboards, racks, and shelves. Contact us today to know more about our products.