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10 Types of Healthcare Carts and Their Uses

Medication cart-10 types of healthcare carts and their uses

There are as many types of healthcare carts as there are procedures that need them. Every cart has its own purpose: to store medication, hold IV bags, transport supplies, etc. But they all aim to make the healthcare worker’s lives easier, more efficient and less disorganized while decreasing the risk of liability. So in this guide, we’ll cover the different types of healthcare carts and their distinctions.  

Emergency Carts 

Emergency carts, also sometimes referred to as crash carts, code carts or MAX carts, are found in every hospital. However, they are especially prominent in the emergency room, labor and delivery department, pediatric wards and surgeries.

They’ll carry a defibrillator, incubation supplies, central vein catheters, drugs and other critical, life-saving equipment. Each hospital has its own way of organizing its cart, but typically you’ll find the most commonly used and important supplies in the top drawer descending in priority and usefulness from there. Bulkier items such as the defibrillator, heart monitor and airway kit are kept on top. ​​​​​​​

Pediatric Crash Carts 

Pediatric crash carts are very similar to standard code carts, except these are designed with children specifically in mind. That means these carts are typically more colorful and house smaller supplies, such as needles, defibrillators and medication dosages.

There are several reasons why a pediatric emergency cart reserves its own category. Not only are children smaller than adults, but there is also greater variation in size between children, depending on where they are in their development. That means the cart will house sizing charts and measuring tapes that will help a nurse or doctor determine the correct course of treatment based on height and weight. 

Because you can’t use adult defibrillators on children under eight, there might be a pediatric drawer within a standard code cart, ie. the emergency room. But within pediatric and child and delivery units, a pediatric trolley is required. 

Isolation Carts 

One of the types of healthcare carts is the isolation cart. The main purpose of an isolation cart is to prevent the spread of disease via harmful pathogens and bodily fluids. They’ll also be made out of scratch-resistant material with minimal use of recessing to ensure easy cleaning.

Because disease prevention is the primary goal of these trolley carts, PPEs such as masks, gloves, goggles, face shields, hand sanitizers, shoe covers, respirators and gowns are examples of supplies you’ll find stocked within its drawers.

Janitorial Carts 

Next on the list of types of healthcare carts is the much anticipated janitorial cart. Although these carts aren’t used directly by doctors or nurses, they play just as critical a role in protecting patients’ health.

These heavy-duty carts frequently sport an attachable or built-in trash can for on-the-go cleaning. Also, they're set with broad shelves to accommodate cleaning detergents, brushes, sponges, cleaning cloths, gloves and more. Unlike other healthcare carts, janitorial carts can usually be found in a lightweight yet durable plastic design. 

IV Carts

IVs don’t work if they are laid horizontally, so hence the invention of the IV cart. These carts have a long pole, usually between 40-85 inches in height and are sometimes adjustable to accommodate a sitting or standing patient. 

These medical carts also come complete with several drawers and dividers for the storage and organization of IV supplies, such as various-sized needles and cannulas, blood sampling kits, syringes, vent caps, swabs, IV bags, saline, etc. 

Medication Carts 

Because of the stealing of medical-grade drugs for recreational use, medication carts host a whole slew of security features, including digital keycode entry, automatic locking systems and audible alarms.

It may even surprise you that not all carts can be used to hold medications. In fact, certain drugs are required by law to be kept under strict lock and key or even video surveillance. 

Besides security being the primary concern, other notable features include dose or storage boxes with dividers, a mobile computer bay, keyboard trays and adjustable height features. 

Anesthesia Carts

Anesthesia carts are another one of those carts that have to meet set security requirements. That’s why most of these you’ll see come with either a manual or electronic locking system to keep their contents safe and accounted for. 

They also have more counter space in the way of pullout trays or overhead attachments for additional storage capacity. And because an anesthesiologist's job significantly differs from a surgeon or primary care physician, they require different tools. These carts offer anesthesiologists a mobile workstation where IVs, opioids, syringes and other medications are kept all in one place for easy access and speedy administration.  

Food Carts 

Hospitals wouldn’t be able to support overnight or long-term stays without catering to their immobile patients. Hospitals circumvent this problem by employing the use of food carts, like Cambro or Cater-Hoffmann. Breakfast carts come in either cold holding units or hot holding units to keep the food at an optimal temperature while making the venture from the kitchen to room to room.

If you need more guidance on how to care for your Cambro food cart or need additional troubleshooting tips on your Cater-Hoffman model, check out these articles. 

Mobile EKG/ECG Carts 

Mobile EKG or ECG carts are specifically designed to hold an EKG machine. Unlike other medical carts, EKG carts typically don't house any drawers but open shelving. It encompasses a recessed top so that the machine doesn’t slip off during transport and sometimes contains separate holders for the scanner and cam unit.  

Specialty Carts 

Last but not least in the long list of different types of healthcare carts are all other carts that don’t fall under one of the main categories. Phlebotomy carts, ergonomic carts, bedside carts, mobile medical computer carts, etc. are all examples of specialty carts.

Depending on a healthcare worker’s unique needs, carts can be configured with any number of drawers, monitor stands, locking systems, caster wheels, cart accessories and materials. This decreases confusion during medical emergencies or routine treatments and increases patient outcomes.