Mobile workstations have become a standard piece of equipment in nursing units today.  They are utilized as a means to access the EMR for nursing documentation, bedside medication verification (BMV), computerized physician order entry (CPOE) and vital sign capture. 

With so many mobile workstations in the market, the question becomes how does a clinician choose the best cart for the ever-changing workflows in a healthcare setting where the main objective is quality bedside point of care?

Of the many aspects to consider when evaluating mobile workstations, here are 10 of the key areas to focus on:

• Battery. Does it offer long battery life that empowers your workflow rather than hindering it? Does it provide a visual means of indicating battery charge status?  Does it offer a visual or audible alert when the battery requires recharging? What is the charge replenishment time?
• Mobility. Is the cart lightweight? Is it easy to roll on and off carpeting? Does it roll easily on bare floors and on and off elevators? Is it easy to grasp, push and maneuver down hallways and in and out of patient areas?
• Ease of use. Does the cart offer easy access to “on” and “off” computer switches? Is it easy to plug in and unplug equipment residing on the cart? Are adjustment mechanisms user friendly?
• Ergonomics. What height and utilization adjustments are possible? Are they easy to make? Will adjustments made stay in place? How easy are adjustments to change for different users?
• Size of the cart. What are the dimensions? Will it fit easily through doorways? Will it maneuver easily around a patient’s rooms?
• Safety features. Do the wheels lock? Are they easy to lock and unlock? Is the cart sturdy and will it stay in place without continual adjustments? Is the cart stable, minimizing potential for tipping over?  Is there a wire management system on the cart?
• Infection control.  Are the surfaces smooth with minimal crevices to avoid trapping dirt and bacteria? Are they easily cleansable with recommended cleaning agents?  Do they contain an antimicrobial coating to resist bacterial growth and colonization?
• Workspace. Does the cart offer sufficient workspace beyond simply holding the computer client? Is there enough work surface for documentation and clinical supplies? Does it offer extra storage space?  Is the surface well lit for low lighting environments?
• Keyboard. How convenient is its location? Is it adjustable? Are adjustments easy to make? Does the location offer enough space to comfortably enter data? Is the keyboard well lit for low lighting environments?
• Monitor. How convenient is viewing? Does it tilt? Is it adjustable for height? Does it offer an acceptable viewing distance?  Does it feature patient privacy screens?  Is it large enough to accommodate viewing at a distance?

In our next post, we’ll talk about which of these ten aspects may be THE most important element to consider, and why.  Stay tuned!