Table of Contents
In order to be prepared for any situation that may arise, a clinic or hospital needs to have certain types of equipment on hand. Comprehensive care requires many different ways to measure the activities of the body and administer various treatments. There are some basics that should always be included.
Pumps
There are two types of pumps- syringe and infusion pumps. An infusion type is meant to deliver fluids such as blood, drugs and nutrients to patients in controlled amounts. They can be used for patient care or live research. An example of this type is a b braun perfusor space. Syringe pumps are slightly more precise, but are meant to be used in laboratories for pure research purposes. They are typically used for much smaller amounts. They are usually battery operated and may last you up to 10 years.
Defibrillators
This is a device that sends electrical currents to the heart in order to treat life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias by shocking the heart into momentary stillness, so that it can regroup and begin again. It is usually employed in emergency situations, so it is designed to be portable and easy to carry. External defibrillators can be mono- or biphasic, meaning they can send one or two electrical shocks. Some modern machines even have a video screen in full color. Still others even integrate CPR rate advisors.
Sterilizers
One of the most important aspects of a medical center is its hygiene. It is not sufficient to simply wash surgical tools and equipment with soap. Autoclave sterilizers use pressurized steam to kill every kind of microbe. Medical waste sometimes needs to be autoclaved, as well. They come in many sizes, the largest being taller than a person. If your budget is a concern, you can also purchase refurbished sterilizers. This is a required piece of equipment for any facility.
EKG Machines
One of the most stereotypical pieces of machinery in a hospital is an EKG, or an electrocardiogram. This device allows staff to monitor the rhythm of the heart by recording its electrical activity. If you want heart rate readings or to be alerted of abnormalities, you will need one of these. They can also read blood pressure and pulse rate. They can even be small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, and are extremely portable. They feature digital readouts and a rechargeable battery, as well.
Stocking your clinic can be a difficult task, with the wide range of medical products that exist today. Don’t forget to cover the essentials before moving on to more advanced machinery.
