More technological inventions are introduced to the healthcare field, providing opportunities to streamline workflow, increase productivity and improve patient care. From electronic health records to barcode scanning, nursing equipment and the technology it uses has formed a vital element of nursing for some time.
Electronic patient records have been the norm in the healthcare sphere for some time now. Nursing apps become increasingly important for nurses who work in busy healthcare settings. Technology is improving patient experience is non-invasive diagnostic tools. Medication trackers to reduce the margin for human error. Patient lifting machines to the ward are a huge relief. GPS location services allow nurses to pinpoint the location of the equipment.
Main types of ward nursing equipment
Hospitals need to be prepared for anything that might come through the doors. That’s why keeping key pieces of equipment on-hand at all times are so crucial to providing complete care.
In order to provide comprehensive treatment for patients, there is a standard set of ward equipment that all hospitals should have ready.
- Stretchers - Moving patients is very important when dealing with emergencies. This piece of equipment is an absolute must-have for hospitals to keep on hand as patients route through their care.
- Defibrillators - Commonly used in life-threatening situations such as cardiac arrhythmias or tachycardia, defibrillators restore normal rhythm to the heart. They’re essential tools that a hospital always needs backups for.
- Anesthesia Machines - These are designed to provide an accurate and continuous supply of medical gases to maintain a proper level of anesthesia to a patient. Modern anesthesia machines include added tools such as a ventilator, suction unit, and patient-monitoring devices.
- Patient monitors - These are standard pieces of equipment that keep accurate track of a patient’s condition and state of health during and after surgery. They are necessary for adult, pediatric & neonatal patients.
- Sterilisers - These kill all forms of microbial life including fungi, bacteria, viruses, spores, and all other entities present on surgical tools and other medical items. An autoclave sterilises equipment and supplies using high-pressure saturated steam for a short period of time.
- EKG/ECG machines - Electrocardiogram (EKG) machines record the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time and allow health care providers to monitor the overall rhythm of the heart and identify any abnormalities.
- Surgical tables - These are necessities for a hospital. For patient preparation, surgical procedures and recovery, these pieces of equipment are essential.
- Blanket and fluid warmers - Body temperatures that are not maintained during surgery can lead to post-surgical complications such as perioperative hypothermia, prolonged hospitalization and recovery, and an increase in the risk for infection. That’s why blanket warmers and fluid warmers are so essential for hospitals to have.
- Electrosurgical units - Used in surgery to cut, coagulate, or otherwise alter tissue, often to limit the amount of blood flow to an area and increase visibility during a surgery. This equipment is crucial to cauterising and reducing blood loss during surgery.
- Surgical lights - A mandatory part of any surgical setting to help surgeons work under adequate lighting conditions.