Hospitals are one of the top organizations that need the best storage efficiency possible.
Hospitals store vast quantities of items, from medications to patient files to equipment. With many patients and many lives under their care, hospitals need the best storage solutions to keep services running safely and smoothly. Below are the top components of hospital storage.
Ease of Access
One of the top priorities to hospital storage is that of efficiency. Hospital staff need a way to keep track of items and access them at any given moment. With so many medications and so much information to keep track of, a highly efficient storage system that can make the most of every space, no matter how small, is necessary. Good storage solutions will also reduce the risk for misinformation and mistakes. Even for functionality, hospitals need storage equipment that can make handling different products such as catheters, linens, and hospital gowns easier to access and transport.
Sanitation
Another great concern in hospitals is keeping equipment sanitary and preventing infection from spreading. Facilities themselves should be kept well-ventilated, clean, orderly, and with the proper temperature and humidity, never mind free from rodents, bugs, birds, and other vermin. The storage equipment too should be easy to clean and sterilize. Metro Shelving provides storage equipment fitting to the task with finishes such as chrome, stainless steel, and Metro Seal 3 with antimicrobial Microban protection.
Security
Lastly, hospitals must follow strict guidelines for the storage and handling of prescription drugs. In general, medications need to be kept in locked cabinets with controlled access. Access to areas storing prescription drugs is usually limited to authorized personnel.
Overall Efficiency for Hospitals and Patients
Overall, the better the storage system a hospital has, the better hospitals can function with less workload and cost. If the equipment is inaccessible and the workflow is inefficient, much time and cost can go toward trying to catch up on keeping track of information and materials. According to the GE Healthcare Report, hospitals are wasting assets bought not because they don’t need them, but because they can’t access them. Supposedly, over 30 percent of hospitals in the U.S. are functioning in negative operating margins, which means that the need for greater organization of materials is more necessary than ever. Once hospital personnel don’t have to spend so much time keeping track of items, they can turn more of their attention to their patients.
Questions? Ask Metro Shelving!
If you still have questions about how better shelving systems will benefit your hospital or medical facility, Metro Shelving is here to help you. Give us a call at 800-400-7500 or visit us online. We will work with you to create the perfect storage system solution for you, your hospital, and your employees. We can even help you if you are interested in outfitting a garage, laundry room, or even a kitchen pantry. For more tips, tricks, and to see what we have been working on, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.