Thanks to their small footprint and ease of mobility, medical carts and portable workstations have become essential equipment in today's healthcare sector. But while these products have undoubtedly made life easier for doctors, nurses, and patients, they can also act as a conduit for transmitting infectious pathogens between patients and staff.
Ensuring medical carts and workstations are adequately cleaned and sanitized will is key to keeping your facility safe and extending the life of your tech.
Medical Cart Cleaning and Preventing HAI’s
Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs) are far more common than you'd think.
In fact, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American hospitals see nearly 1.7 million HAIs annually. That means approximately 5% of all patients admitted to the hospital this year will become ill with an HAI at some point during their stay, including:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
- Clostridium difficile
- Acinetobacter species
- Noroviruses
- coli
- aeruginosa
Studies have shown that many infectious pathogens can remain on hard surfaces and frequently used medical equipment for a prolonged period. A rushed clinician who forgets proper hand hygiene has only to touch a medical cart or workstation to pass those pathogens on to their patients and other staff members.
Portable Workstation and Medical Cart Care: A Checklist
To ensure the safety of all patients and staff, it’s essential to ensure cleaning and disinfecting protocols are strictly followed throughout your facility, including those that apply to mobile workstations, computers, telemedicine carts, and other equipment that doesn’t routinely come into direct contact with patients.
- All staff members should be trained to perform proper hand hygiene:
- Before and after touching any type of workstation, including portable medical carts and telemedicine carts.
- After direct or indirect patient contact.
- After contact with a patient’s environment.
- Clean and disinfect EVERY time a medical cart or other device becomes contaminated.
- The clinician using a workstation or cart is responsible for cleaning and disinfecting the unit.
- Clutter should be kept to a minimum. Keep all portable workstations and medical carts clear of unnecessary supplies and materials that aren’t used regularly.
- Disinfectants should be kept close to areas where telemedicine carts and other medical workstations are used. Utilizing a holder, bracket, or bin that attaches to the unit will remind clinicians to disinfect and facilitate ease of use.
- Train all clinicians on best cleaning and disinfecting practices. Implement a monitoring mechanism or program to ensure these procedures are regularly followed.
Medical Cart and Workstation Cleaning: A How-To Guide.
Workstations and equipment should be cleaned and disinfected at the start and end of every shift, and whenever any component:
- Becomes visibly soiled
- Potentially came in contact with bacteria
- Leaves a designated isolation room
Cleaning and disinfecting encompass a three-part process:
- Perform Proper Hand Hygiene
- Cleaning: Using a new wipe or cloth and a hospital-grade cleaner, rub or scrub the unit to remove any foreign matter, including dust, soil, food, feces, blood, and sputum.
- Disinfectant: Immediately after performing step #2, use a new wipe or cloth and hospital-grade disinfectant to rid the unit of bacteria, viruses, and other infectious pathogens. To ensure the cart or workstation is completely sanitized, it should remain wet for at least one minute and air dry.
It’s essential to clean and disinfect an entire workstation, including the work surface and exterior accessories:
- The Monitor: Computer monitors should be turned off, and the screen and exterior wiped with a microfiber cloth that has been dampened (not saturated) with an alcohol solution. To avoid damaging the monitor's pixels, be sure not to spray water or solution directly onto the screen. Avoid exposed fans or ports that could be damaged.
- Laptop: When cleaning and disinfecting a medical cart or workstation equipped with a laptop, be sure to first turn off the computer. Clean with cotton swabs and a hospital-grade disinfectant, but use a microfiber cloth on sensitive components to avoid scratching.
- Keyboard and Mouse: A keyboard and mouse are hotspots for bacteria, debris, and dirt. Healthcare providers should select water-proof components that can be immersed and thoroughly cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectant. Make sure the keyboard and mouse are unplugged before cleaning and disinfecting commence.
- Batteries: When cleaning a battery-equipped cart, begin by cleaning the exterior with a hospital-grade solution that won't harm the material. If the workstation requires interior cleaning, ensure the unit is unplugged and use an air pressure spray to remove dust and other debris.
- Power Cords: Make sure the power cord is unplugged, then rub the cord with a cloth that's been dampened with a hospital-grade solution. To avoid damaging the cables, be sure the cloth is not saturated.
Special Cleaning Considerations: Materials.
The various materials used to construct medical carts and workstations may have specific cleaning requirements.
- Paint and Plastics: Painted metals and plastics can usually be cleaned with standard hospital-grade products and water. However, removing difficult stains may require diluted, non-abrasive solutions such as quaternary ammonia compounds, ammonia enzyme cleaners, bleach, or alcohol solutions.
- 3D Laminate or Thermofoil: These surfaces can be somewhat sensitive, so test out solutions in a small, inconspicuous area before the first cleaning commences. Remove pen marks and other stubborn stains with 70% isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth, rubbing in the direction of the grain to avoid damaging the surface. If there is no visible grain, use small circular motions.
- Aluminum: Portable medical carts and workstations are generally made from aluminum or other materials intended to last for years. They should be dusted regularly to remove dirt and debris and disinfected with a non-abrasive cleanser to eliminate bacteria and other pathogens. Automotive polishing compounds can be used to remove scuffs and scratches, followed by a pre-softened automotive paste wax to restore the original sheen.
First Products: Medical Carts and Workstations to Improve Workflows and Patient Care
First Products has been assisting healthcare professionals for over 60 years and understands the daily challenges frontline medical professionals face. All of our mobile medical carts, portable workstations, and telemedicine carts feature modern materials and streamlined designs that facilitate effective cleaning and disinfecting in accordance with standard medical products.
If we don’t already have your perfect-fit solution available, we'll configure one for you!
To Learn More, Please Contact First Products Today at 800.854.8304