Hospitals must always be prepared for emergencies, and crash carts can greatly help. These carts contain emergency equipment that nurses and other medical staff can use to save a life. However, not all crash carts are the same. Depending on your hospital's needs, you may require a specific type of crash cart or more than one. We’ll discuss five different types of crash carts for your hospital. Although this isn’t an extensive list, it provides a basic understanding of crash cart options and hospital staff needs.
Basic Crash Cart
The basic crash cart is the most common type in hospitals. As the name suggests, it contains the most basic emergency equipment, including oxygen, an automated external defibrillator (AED), a suction apparatus, and basic resuscitation equipment. The layout of the cart is simple, allowing healthcare providers to access everything quickly. Hospitals that don't have the resources to maintain multiple types of carts often rely on basic crash carts in an emergency.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Cart
ACLS carts contain the same equipment as a basic crash cart but include advanced equipment and pharmaceuticals for treating cardiac arrest. Medical staff need special training to use ACLS carts, and the included equipment must be up to date. Cardiac units in hospitals may use ACLS carts to ensure staff are ready for cardiac emergencies.
Pediatric Crash Cart
Children have different emergency needs than adults, requiring hospital staff to use specialized equipment and medication doses. The pediatric crash cart limits the use of potentially dangerous drugs, making it safer for use when caring for children. Various medications are also available depending on a patient's age, weight, and condition. Pediatric crash carts are crucial in pediatric units, pediatric emergency departments, or neonatal intensive care units (NICU).
Trauma Crash Cart
Trauma patients require different equipment, such as bandages, splints, and tourniquets, to treat their injuries. A trauma crash cart provides hospital staff with quick and easy access to these and other emergency supplies. Hospitals that frequently take in trauma patients or have a dedicated trauma center should make use of a trauma crash cart.
Anesthesia Cart
Anesthesia carts contain the necessary equipment and medications for an anesthesiologist during procedures. This equipment includes airway management tools, breathing circuits, and medications necessary for inducing and maintaining anesthesia. Most surgeries require patients to go under anesthesia, making this cart vital in any hospital.
Crash carts can help your hospital staff save lives. These five different types of crash carts to choose from will also aid your staff in meeting patients’ needs. Any of these medical crash carts will make all the difference in emergencies.