Proper setup is crucial when buying new medical equipment—whether brand-new or refurbished and just new to your practice. In fact, having devices adequately prepared for use is just as important as having an experienced and capable team. Thoughtfully following this process can help your hospital or medical facility run more efficiently—so your staff can focus on caring for patients. Here are six tips from Gumbo Medical, LLC for setting up patient rooms, exam offices, and vital devices.
- Consider Placement Options
- Ask For Team Input
- Ensure Parts Are Assembled Correctly
- Make Sure Gear Functions Properly
- Clear Area Of Debris & Packing Items
- Follow Instructions
1. Choose A Patient-Friendly Location
Placement options may be limited depending on your medical equipment’s size and where electrical plugs are located in the space. Hospital beds and exam tables take up space and often work best with the head end situated next to a wall. However, your equipment’s location should always be user- and patient-friendly.
2. Consult With Team Members To Optimize Placement
Should multiple placement options be available, ask the caregivers who will use it where they think it makes the most sense to place it for workflow. This can profoundly impact patient care—avoiding even a short walk can save vital minutes in emergencies.
3. Inspect Parts & Follow Proper Assembly Protocols
Before putting things into place, it’s wise to carefully inspect all medical equipment parts. Detailed inspections are crucial to the efficacy of your healthcare facility or hospital. After all, what good is having quality equipment if it’s not correctly assembled? Even one failed part or a slightly imperfect assembly can cause machines and devices to malfunction, resulting in greater costs and client dissatisfaction.
- Sings Of Damage
- Missing Parts
- Mismatched Parts
4. Test Medical Gear For Functionality Before Use
Once assembled, all medical gear should be tested for functionality before use. Sometimes everything looks fine, but it’s possible to find glitches that can’t be seen. Remembering to test your equipment first can catch any assembly mistakes and prevent permanent damage.
5. Remove Unnecessary Materials & Clutter From Devices
Next, be sure all packing materials and debris are removed from the area. Cleanliness and safety are pivotal in medical environments. This ensures a clean and effective workspace for employees who use the equipment routinely, preventing contamination and other mishaps.
6. Always Ensure Staff Thoroughly Reads Instructions
Be sure that anyone using machines and products has thoroughly read the instructions for use. Each applicable staff member needs to understand how to care for and properly use new items, especially if it’s a new model that hasn’t been used by your facility before. Following instructions helps prevent misuse that can cause damage to devices and lead to poor patient care.
Need New Or Used Equipment For Your Medical Facility?
Whether you’re shopping for a brand-new facility or are currently using outdated hospital beds, machines, and exam tables and are in need of an update, we have a vast selection of new and used medical devices and hospital furniture to suit your needs. Contact Gumbo Medical, LLC today to learn how we can help you buy, rent, or lease the right equipment to ensure your facility is up-to-date and ready to deliver top-notch patient care.