2018 FIRST PLACE WINNER –
Mount Nittany Medical Center BioMed Team
This cart was created mainly for the tasks of testing and calibrating our standing scales, and patient beds or stretcher scales. We also use it as the travel pm cart between multiple buildings. We had a huge stroke of luck finding an old motorized cart in the basement that had been abandoned by Environmental Services. We dug the cart out from underneath a junk pile and put in a couple of old bed batteries. After cleaning the contacts and a bit of coaxing it now works great. Then we added new batteries and an old pm cart without the wheels. We use a bedside monitor arm for our laptop, and most importantly, enjoy a mount for our Bose blue tooth speaker. It carries our six 50 pound weights for the adult scales, and the smaller weights for the infant and diaper scales. Previous carts could not handle the wear and tear of this amount of weight. This cart also protects us from that same wear and tear as we do our pm’s. We use the drawers for any needed tools, pm supplies and test equipment. The cart top is a great work surface, and we added a 1363A re-locatable power strip for any power need.
2017 FIRST PLACE WINNER –
Scot Mackeil, Massachusetts General Hospital
Just as a Jedi must build their own Light Saber, A Biomed must be able to build a PM cart. My Cart is used in the Main Operating Room at Massachusetts General Hospital for doing PM on our fleet of over 200 Draeger Vaporizers and 100 Draeger Anesthesia machines. I do Anesthesia and Surgical Systems support in the Hospital that introduced Anesthesia into surgical practice in the Ether Dome on October 16th 1846. The Photo was taken in an OR, in a Building that stands on what was once the site of the original Harvard Medical School Building. On top of the cart is my Dell Win7 Laptop that runs “Draeger Service Connect”, the application that allows me to log into the machine and enable service mode, review error logs and run diagnostic routines. To the right of the Laptop, is a mouse pad and a PM check sheet I developed to track and document my steps in the PM and collect data for doing the PM work order entry. Each tool on the top of the cart is specific to various tasks in the PM. Hex keys and screwdrivers for the various fasteners that hold the Apollo, the Solar and GCX brackets together. Many things need to be checked and tightened during PM. “Water Pump” Pliers are used for removing/tightening Gas hose Fitting as needed. Small snips are used with the wire ties in the jar on the cart’s bottom shelf for cable management duties that can be complex, depending on the surgical service the machine serves. The Second shelf sits at chair height. On it are the various test devices I use during the PM. From Right to Left, A set of glass “Rotameter” flow tubes for measuring Gas Flows in LPM. A “Magnehelic” gage for checking respiratory pressures in cmH2O and doing leak tests. There is an Extech digital manometer that measures the very low 2 cmH2o range for checking the PEEP valve offset. In the small Blue Bin you will Find a Woodhead tester and a Outlet tester I use for doing PM on power strips that are on most IV poles around an anesthesia machine. Also, there is a nut driver with a socket ground down to a thin edge for loosening the nuts that hold the gas flow knobs on the fresh gas flow valves when one has to adjust for a “Phantom Flow”. The other key item in the blue bin is a blunt needle and a blood pressure hose fitting. together these two things help me to press very tiny O-rings onto the fittings in the Anesthesia gas module. To The left of the bin, one 60cc syringe contains O2 compatible Krytox grease. The Other 60cc syringe contains DOW Corning silicon Grease. Front and center is my test lung and test circuit connected together by the flow cell for the Novametrix respiratory mechanics analyzer I use to QC the ventilator performance. Left of that is a can of calibration gas for the anesthesia gas analyzer. My “gasser” has a .5L bag on it and a sample to tube to connect it to the Apollo or SAM module. The most important thing on the cart is the Apollo PM procedure. The copy in the photo is rev#14. I started with the OEM manual written in “German/English”, I have been refining the translation one rev at a time, since my 1st PM. By understanding the nature and refining the ordering of the tasks and steps, one can do the OEM PM in the most efficient sequence of actions. Thanks to the evolved PM sheet, what first took most of two work days in my lab, in now done in less than 6-8 hours in the OR room, depending on the PM parts that need to be installed. I follow the procedure step by step on every PM. Behind the 4 page procedure sheet, is a box containing my piped gas pressure gage/test manifolds. And next to it is a box that stores my flow meter and magnehelic and test tubes. On the bottom shelf, I have A can of wire ties, an antique B/D AA battery powered electric screw driver, a vintage 1986 hoover data vacuum, a bottle of Spic and Span, and (not visible) a small bucket and microfiber cleaning cloth. Just above the Vacuum is the Draeger T wrench that takes apart the Apollo Breathing system. Behind the Vacuum is a tool box filled with CAT5 cables, power cords, cable clamps and clips, rarely needed tools and various spare parts. The Cart itself is a 1980’s era film projector cart, I rescued it from the O.R. trash room. Not visible under the top shelf is a power strip for my computer and other test equipment and a USB powered speaker that plays music from my Laptop while I do the PM. This is a great cart and the items on it, let me go into any operating room and do a complete anesthesia machine PM in the most efficient manner possible. The Cart sits just to the left of the Anesthesia machine and everything is at my fingertips. Each tool is in the right place at the right time. Each gage is hung from a hook on the cart at eye level.
The vacuum hose is in just the right place to clean the filters and computer vents. The PM documents are right there in plain sight too. After the PM I have a cover for the cart and a great storage place. For me this cart is a great example of how any Biomed can make a work practice better and more efficient AND how one Nurses trash can be one Biomed’s treasure.
Inverter, recycled led lights and battery.
Pneumatic tires for better load bearing, and speedy service!
Took an old Ekg cart added 2 extra shelves for a total of 3 shelves added a gcx channel basket and a power strip. Cut out holes for tools on the side of the cart
1) Riser bar because I’m 6’7″.
2) Caution tape for safety and bling.
The Pit Stop
With its compact yet elegant design, this re-purposed EKG cart is suitable for a variety of Biomedical tasks, including but not limited to PM’s, repairs, testing, and device retrieval. It handles very well and takes up a small footprint to fit in tight spaces and stay clear of surrounding workflow.
Features include:
>High-Mounted laptop + mouse for closing PM’s on-the-go
>Ergonomic driving handles
>Access to most commonly used test equipment using GCS attachments on a mounted pole
>Mounted PVC pipe that doubles as an NBP cuff simulator and a trash can for old PM stickers
>Side Bag to keep cables tidy
>Side-mounted magnet bar to secure Scotty (sticker) peeler, Allen wrenches, and other magnetizable items
>Front-mounted toolbag containing a variety of hand tools and a multimeter
>Backup AC power battery on the bottom rack and front-mounted power strip with cable management
>Cup Holder
>Slim compartment for a clipboard/notebook
>Quiet-rolling wheels and strong breaks for staying on uneven surfaces
>Bluetooth speaker under the laptop for some tunes
>Hand-Sanitizer and lotion behind the laptop
> All components secured with velcro for bumpy rides
I am always seeking new modifications to improve the cart, but I am pretty happy with it in its current state.
Very simple, I put everything I will use to do my PM’s on my cart each month.
Modified used GI Lab mobile workstation cart. 3M Electronics Vacuum installed. Welch Allyn thermal temperature well installed. Colin calibrated dual volume NIBP cuff simulator installed. SimCube, SimSlim, and OxSim onboard. Veto Pro PAC Tech-MCT Tool Bag padlocked to cart. Outlet Strip with 10 receptacles mounted on left side. Laser barcode scanner holder on top right on cart. Sliding middle shelf with medTester 5000C safety analyzer with barcode reader installed. Enough room on top shelf to comfortably support the BC Biomedical ESU-2400 Electrosurgical Analyzer. J-Hooks mounted on back for hanging spare cables and bags. Room underneath toolbag for UPS.
Mounted laptop with equipment management software. Mounted power strip.
Installed side utility baskets.
Nothing fancy. Re-purposed an old TV cart to hold label printers, scanning hardware and GCX channel to hold the dual displays. The height was modified so it could be easily used when standing.
This mobile biomed cart is custom created for troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, and repairs on the the go.
This cart features:
An on board UPS battery.
Fully functioning spacelabs monitor system for testing.
Wireless laptop for quick access to maintenance program.
Soldering station.
Electrical safety analyzer.
Complete tool bag.
DeWalt battery vacuume.
Drawers and lockable cabinet for parts, tools, and test equipment.
The arms on the tower are adjustable and swivel out of the way, to clear space for table top maintenance.
Retractable power cord mounted underneath cart.
Medical device grade power strip mounted on top rack
Top rack has multiple options for hanging storage bins
IV pole attachment
First I had to sand down underneath the handle because it felt like your hand was getting cut pulling it down the hallway. Then I put bigger casters on, so that it’s easer to get on and off the elevator. Then I had to saw off a cup holder and a cable holder where the ladder goes. I Installed the ladder holder, and hooks. I put the bungee on so the ladder wouldn’t pop off over bumps. Then I put on professional looking Clinical Engineering signs on both sides. When out on the floor this cart looks real professional. I found Brandy on one of my projects and thought…that’s perfect for storing my safety glasses and hard hat. The little bins on top are perfect for holding screws when taking something apart. It maneuvers real easy and fits on the elevator with a full size bed. Wow. I love my cart!
This is not my cart but was a cart of a coworkers. it was deemed to be too cumbersome and uncontrollable once loaded down with test equipment and spare parts.
Cut and customized an old IV pole and mounted 2 pieces on my cart with 2 clamps to hold a tester and a air-oxygen mixer. Also installed medical gas and oxygen hoses and a flow meter to make a mobile test cart for these devices. I rebuild and perform preventative maintenance on thesee assets before I had made this cart I had to move everything nessicary to respiratory care to work on them now I am more efficient and increased turn around time.
Our Biomed Department took an old pharmacy cart from the garbage. We cleaned it up cause we saw the potential. We utilized the drawers for our test equipment, tools, patient cables and more. We added a power strip and extension cord so we’re able to plug in our magnifying lamp, computer, and test equipment needed for the field. Our vise comes in handy for some of the harder repairs. We have a step ladder attached on the rear for the hard to reach places. And finally we added our hospital decals.
I took the packing foam that we had laying around or ready for the garbage and upcycled it to organize my cart. I would pull out the tools that I used most often as well as repair parts and designed a layout that made this all visible and available at my worksite. I was able to use different foam density on the bottom to “layer in” kits for certain equipment for a quick fix on the floor rather than bringing equipment to the shop. This decreases equipment downtime.
Regular Biomed cart, was modified , install three drawers, to accommodate , all my tools and flat steel , for hard work, for vise, test equipment and a computer laptop, and iv stand for alaris pump PM. as well as pm stickers. etc.
My cart is a Rubbermaid, black and red to match my hardworking Milwaukee tools. Customizations include an automatic power cord reel with on board power strip and Drager power supply to program monitor docks on the floor. Also stickers representing our shop union and that we run drager equipment.
Test equipment cart- Fully automated into equipment database.
Glove/ hand sanitizer dispenser.
High visibility tape.
Line cord hanger.
Extension cords/ receptacle buss.
I have a portable laptop to search equipment history, type my work orders, use service manuals. My safety analyzer and work space up on the top shelf.
My SimCube, volt meter, water bottle since im always on the go, box of glove so I dont grab anything yucky whilst I work, tape and scratch paper to write note on the equipment, and a power strip attached to the second shelf.
Third shelf has my tool bag, a set of bits, cleaning supplies, spare parts for the type of equipment that is due on that month.
It’s a W16″ x L32″ x H36″. So it is pretty compact, durable and I am able to take it where ever I have to go. Simple but it helps me get the job done.
The cart is a converted Drager Narkomed GS anesthesia machine. The top half of the machine was removed and a Craftsman tool box was bolted to the table top along with a T-handle allen wrench set. The cart has electrical power from an extra long power cord. An electrical outlet is located on the back for power tools and includes an articulated electric light for close in work on equipment repair. Handle on the side makes for easy mobility. Has a front side pull out writing table for paperwork.
PM/Repair/Tool cart for Crothall HTS/Iredell Health Care. Holds all simulators and tools needed for 90-95% of repairs or PM’s. Includes Tile Bluetooth locator so all BMET’s can locate using and app on their phones. Each tech here has the same setup on each of their carts.
I transformed an old EKG cart into my Biomed PM cart… still plan to make a few more modifications but it works well….
Here it is my traveling circus BMET cart. It’s small basic and functional because some of the areas can be tight. A swiveling base under the safety analyzer for ease of use and sight. Basket on the side to hold the smaller simulators so they are ease of access and not in the way when not in use. The second shelf for the other required testing devices, the bottom for the for the sticky tags we get to put on the equipment, so we can clean it off later that year. The bens keep the cart neat and organized “ hahaha” storing things like spare pens, tools, test jigs, spare power cords.
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