Choosing a ward cart for hospitals and clinics

A ward cart for a hospital or clinic has to fit the way the ward works. Who uses it for documentation, which devices travel with it, and where is the cart parked between uses? The answers to these questions determine what a sensible configuration looks like. At SIC, you will find carts and mobile IT workstations for different computer set-ups, along with accessories to complement them.

This guide is aimed at procurement, IT and the teams who use the cart day to day. The focus is on digital documentation and computer work. In English-language documentation, carts used in hospitals are also referred to as “medical carts” or “hospital carts”; on their own, these terms describe neither the equipment nor any particular approval.

Define the ward workflow before choosing equipment

Start by describing a typical use, from the moment the cart leaves its parking position until it returns. Is it moved several times during a ward round, or used mainly in one fixed place? Do several people work at it? Do the keyboard and scanner need to be within immediate reach? Also note which items really need to travel with the cart. An additional shelf is only helpful if it serves a clear purpose.

Plan the parking position as carefully as the workstation itself. This includes the socket needed for charging, an accessible parking area and clearly defined responsibility for plugging the cart in. Where several wards are involved, it pays to define a common basic configuration, complemented by differences in accessories where these are justified.

Three starting points for IT equipment

These models are starting points for different ways of working. Compare the equipment listed for each product with your list of devices. IT hardware is not included with these carts. For the fundamental differences between designs and configurations, our guide to mobile workstations is also helpful.

Assess a sample set-up in the planned workflow

Check the working position together with the people who will be doing the documentation. The screen and input devices must be within reach without covering frequently used shelves. Consider the keyboard tray when pulled out as well as when retracted. A cart may fit easily when parked but need considerably more room when in use.

Include narrow doorways, corners and the position next to the bed in your planning. What matters is the space taken up by the fully equipped cart. Decide which components stay in which position while the cart is being moved. Suitability for specific routes and the permissible load should be assessed on the basis of the version chosen.

Match power and accessories to daily use

For reliable power planning, simply specifying “a PC” is not enough. List the computer, monitor, printer and any other connected accessories individually. Add how long these devices need to run without mains power and when charging is possible. With this information, you can enquire about the right version; a fixed runtime should not be inferred from a product image.

For an organised input area, you can use the M-26011-B keyboard tray, for example. A shelf for a printer or scanner can keep devices physically separate. Before adding anything, check the mounting point, the components already fitted and the permissible loads. Accessories shown in an image are not automatically part of every cart version.

Clarify cleaning and approval for use in detail

When selecting a cart for a clinical environment, the people responsible should check the cleaning requirements against the intended configuration. This requires details of the cleaning agents and procedures used, together with the relevant manufacturer information. The term “easy to clean” is no substitute for confirmation that the materials are compatible with a specific disinfectant.

Also agree on which documents are required for the intended use. This applies in particular when the cart is combined with medical devices. A general classification for the clinic or hospital sector does not answer this question for every combination of devices.

The details that make your enquiry specific

Send us the device manufacturer and model, the quantity required, the planned ward workflow, your power supply requirements and a list of the shelves you need. Add any limiting dimensions at the place of use and your cleaning requirements. Photos of the area where the cart will be set up are helpful; they do not need to show patients or any personal information.

The SIC catalogue section in German and English covers the product families and possible add-ons. To agree on the set-up you want, send a configuration enquiry to SIC.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an IT ward cart and an equipment cart?

An IT ward cart is planned around computer work: screen or notebook, input devices, shelves and, where required, a power supply. An equipment cart may need a different holder and carry a different load. The deciding factors are the specific configuration and compatibility with the devices to be used.

Is a ward cart with a power supply automatically designed to last a whole shift?

No. The runtime depends on the connected devices, their actual power consumption and the energy storage unit. Specify the time window you need so that the power supply can be checked against the intended use.

Are the computer, monitor and keyboard included?

The SIC carts described in the shop do not include any IT hardware. In addition, check the specification of each individual product for mounts, shelves and power supply. Images may show devices and attachment parts from an example configuration.

Can I request the same configuration for several wards?

Yes. Send us the number of carts, the IT equipment used and the differences between the wards. A jointly defined set-up, with any deviations explicitly stated, makes it easier to coordinate orders, spare parts and later additions.