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Basic Medical Equipment
Hospitals need to be prepared for anything that might come through the doors. That’s why keeping key pieces of medical equipment on-hand at all times are so crucial to providing complete care.
Every hospital should have a list of basic equipment to provide basic treatment for their patients. This list of medical equipment can often be refurbished and new, allowing hospitals to afford to carry reserves for this basic equipment.
The use of these basic medical equipment in hospitals and clinics is of great importance. These equipment makes it possible for medical professions to assess a patient's medical needs. They are also useful in the diagnosis, treatment and general care of a patient. It is important to know the different medical equipment that are available, the functions that each perform, and how they all work coherently together to diagnose, manage and treat the patient accordingly.
Every day, a variety of different medical equipment and supplies are expanding. In order to provide comprehensive treatment for patients, there is a standard set of equipment that all hospitals should have ready.
This list of medical equipment can often be refurbished as well as new, allowing hospitals to afford purchasing and maintaining these key pieces.
Some of these basic medical equipment include;
1. Diagnostic Medical Equipment.
Diagnostic devices are used to find out the nature or cause of a certain phenomenon, usually related to a medical condition. The diagnostic test is performed based on the symptoms, and the appropriate tool is used to evaluate the patient internally. Some examples are;
* Electrocardiogram machines; The electrocardiograph (ECG) is a machine that monitors and records the heart’s electrical activity. It can diagnose cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and other heart conditions. The machine is also used to monitor the heart during surgery. This equipment allows healthcare providers to make quick decisions about care to be provided to patients with existing or potential heart problems.
* X-ray Machine; an X-ray machine is used to produce images of different parts of the body. It is used to create images for diagnosing a variety of diseases. X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation, which means they pass through most objects, including the human body. An image can be created where specific molecules in the body absorb some x-rays and not others, creating an image on a film that can be interpreted by a trained professional. This is known as radiography.
* Ultrasound; ultrasound is a type of imaging used to create images of internal organs and tissues. It is a simple, noninvasive imaging technique that does not expose the patient to any ionizing radiation. Ultrasound can detect pregnancy and vital signs like heart rate, among many other uses.
2. Durable Medical Equipment (DME).
The DME is mostly used for providing therapeutic benefits for some specific conditions or illnesses which must be prescribed by a physician. Durable medical equipment is an extended and reusable device that can be used in the hospital or at home for patient care. There are varieties of durable medical equipment, which include;
* Patient Monitors; these are an essential part of basic medical equipment. They monitor patients’ vital signs in critical care units (ICU, CCU) and general wards. The information on the patient monitor is essential for monitoring a patient’s health status.
The patient monitor usually displays:
Heart Rate (HR).
Respiration (RR).
Pulse Oxygen Saturation (SpO2).
ECG rhythm on screen, which can be lead II or V1 or V4.
There may be a display for temperature, blood pressure, invasive blood pressure, and carbon dioxide in some cases.
They are used for adult, pediatric & neonatal patients. Patient monitors are a must in any hospital equipment list.
* Hospital Stretchers; a stretcher is a simple piece of equipment used to transport patients to different locations within the hospital. Stretchers are also used to help patients get into and out of bed or transport them to the operating room. They can be collapsible, making moving around freely in tight spaces easier.
* Wheelchairs; these are also used to transport patients. They are lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, making them ideal for quickly moving patients whose injuries allow them to sit up. Hospitals need wheelchairs if an emergency arises, especially when they have a large volume of patients coming in with unknown conditions that may require urgent attention.
* Hospital beds; these are used by long-term patients who cannot get out of bed on their own or need specialized care while lying down. Like wheelchairs, these beds can be moved between departments as needed. An example is when a patient is to be taken from the emergency room into surgery or vice versa.
3. Therapeutic Medical Equipment.
These types of devices are usually designed to treat a specific medical condition. This utilizes modern technology to address any aberration in the affected organs or tissues within the body and restores their function. This can also include the surgical supplies used to provide patients with solutions for certain conditions that require surgical intervention.
Some of them are
* Sterilizers; hospital sterilizers kill all microbial life forms, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, spores, and other entities present on surgical tools and other medical items. An autoclave sterilizes equipment and supplies using high-pressure saturated steam for a short period. This equipment is very important in ensuring the safety of both patients and the health workers.
* Defibrillators; The automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm. If necessary, it can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm. AEDs are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. Defibrillators may be used in adults and children who have cardiac arrest or other serious abnormal heart rhythms that cause low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and death.
* Anaesthesia machine; these are used by anesthesiologists and nurse anaesthetists to help patients in the hospital be unconscious during surgery. It can also help keep those patients asleep and pain-free during the procedure. The anaesthesia machine helps regulate blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. It controls blood oxygen levels, monitors vital signs, and controls body temperature.
* Ventilator; The ventilator is a medical device that can be used in cases where breathing becomes difficult or impossible. Ventilators have been around since the mid-2000s, and they are widely used in ICUs. A ventilator is usually a machine that uses a tube to deliver air into the lungs, but it can also be an oxygen mask that allows you to breathe on your own.
* Nebulizer; this is used for those with chronic lung conditions like asthma, COPD, or cystic fibrosis by turning liquid medication into steam so you can breathe it in through a mask or mouthpiece as quickly as possible.
* Pulse oximeters; they are devices used to measure the percentage of haemoglobin carrying oxygen in the blood. These readings indicate how well your heart, lungs, and circulatory system are functioning.
Other treatment equipment also used for surgical procedures includes;
* Surgical gloves, caps, gowns, and glasses (especially for the operation/surgery team).
* Drapes and Gauze (for patients).
The above mentioned medical equipment are only some of the necessary pieces hospital equipment. Keeping these on hand are critical to the operational success of a hospital and the health care provided within it.
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