If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it was the vital importance of reliable access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for the healthcare workforce. Per the World Health Organization (WHO,) “Biological agents transfer from person to person by direct or indirect contact. Health workers maintain close contact with patients. Thus, they need PPE that protects them from potential transmission." Proper PPE storage ensures longevity and enhances safety by keeping these vital supplies clean, organized, and readily available.
While some institutions have adopted temporary measures like renting containers or using office spaces for PPE storage, it's crucial to establish long-term PPE storage strategies that can maintain the equipment’s integrity and sustain healthcare operations into the future.
This blog post explores two practical PPE storage ideas: Mobile Shelving for long-term PPE storage and Patient Server Cabinets for rapid PPE storage and retrieval.
Mobile Shelving for Long-Term PPE Storage
One of the most efficient methods to boost long-term storage capacity for PPE is through compact mobile storage systems. These systems feature shelving units that glide along rails installed into or on top of the floor to eliminate unnecessary aisle space. The ability to condense stored items into a tighter area significantly increases storage capacity without expanding the facility's physical footprint.
Powered mobile shelving systems reclaim valuable floor space by creating movable aisles that consolidate storage, thus offering extra space for activities directly impacting patient care. Electrical-powered mobile shelving has helped increase organization and efficiency in various work environments, including hospitals, police departments, and more.
Similarly, mechanical-assist mobile shelving provides comparable benefits through manual operation. The mechanical assistance allows you to turn the 3-spoke handle and move 4,000-10,000 pounds of weight with just one pound of effort!
High-density mobile storage solutions can deliver up to three times the storage capacity in the same floor space as traditional shelving and filing — at a fraction of the cost. Made to store a wide variety of materials, regardless of size, weight, or shape, mobile shelving systems are some of the most versatile PPE storage ideas available.
Patient Server Cabinets for Rapid PPE Storage and Retrieval
Efficient PPE cabinet storage solutions like the CoreSTORⓇ Patient Server storage cabinet significantly streamline operations by reducing the time spent on inventory management and returning the focus to quality patient care.
These specialized medical storage cabinets are stocked from the hallway and accessible inside patient rooms for quick and easy retrieval. This innovative design allows nurses to spend less time searching for supplies and more time providing patient care.
CoreSTOR cabinets place 80% of the most frequently used patient care supplies within ten steps of the bedside, optimizing space usage and ensuring easy access to essential items. Moreover, by allowing staff to stock supplies from outside the room, these cabinets help minimize patient interruptions and exposure.
The CoreSTOR Patient Server is highly versatile, offering various customization options, including shelving heights and carriage widths and lengths to fit any healthcare facility's specific needs, floor plans, and building codes. Details like bins, hooks, and pegs in various styles and colors make for virtually limitless adaptability.
Exploring practical and effective PPE storage ideas is pivotal to ensuring healthcare safety and regulatory compliance. The best storage solutions are adaptable enough to meet the demands of long-term storage and short-term quick retrieval.
Work with our storage solution experts to assess your space, understand your needs, and design a system that optimizes space and efficiency for your healthcare facility. To create and implement the most effective PPE storage ideas for your healthcare facility, contact a representative from Patterson Pope today.
