IV poles help medical staff transport patients throughout hospitals without having to disconnect them from life-saving fluids or medication. This increases efficiency and reduces the risk of error, stalling operations, or damaging costly equipment.
Hospitals must also consider the preferences and requirements of their medical staff when selecting IV poles for their facilities. This helps determine the best top style, base style, and material construction.
1. Durability
IV Poles must be durable enough to withstand the demands of hospitals and healthcare environments and allowing for the secure hanging of IV bags. They must be reliable and able to help medical professionals save time by making it easier for them to access patients and deliver life-saving fluids and medications. IV poles that are constructed from stainless steel and aluminum offer durability and stability. They are also lightweight to maneuver and resist rusting. These features make them a better choice than versions that are fashioned from chrome, which is less durable and prone to rusting.
The IV stand base is an important part of the overall structure, because it will determine how easy the IV pole is to move through hospital floors and get to patient bedsides. Ideally, the base should be made from a material that is resistant to chemicals and abrasions that are typical of hospital environments. Casters on the base are another factor in determining how easy it is to transport and maneuver. Options include thermoplastic and neoprene casters that are abrasion, chemical, and oil resistant as well as Omega casters that are quiet, non-marking, and roll easily over floor debris.
Medical staff spend a lot of time on their feet, so it’s important that they have quality equipment to reduce fatigue and stress. IV stands and their accessories allow them to stay closer to patients, which helps improve patient comfort. Some stands can even be color coded to help staff identify their assigned department or nursing floor. This can help avoid mistakes and confusion during patient shift changes. Other accessories that can be added to IV stands and stacking IV poles include laptop trays, which let medical professionals input electronic medical records as they move from room to room.
2. Ease of Use
Unlike stationary IV poles or those attached to hospital beds, rolling IV stands are designed to allow medical staff to move around the hospital without disconnecting patients from their lifesaving intravenous fluids and medications. These mobile IV stands help improve workflow and efficiency for nurses by allowing them to deliver care more quickly, easily, and safely.
When choosing a mobile IV stand, it’s important to consider the environment in which it will be used and the preferences and needs of the medical staff who will use it. These factors will influence the top and base style, material construction, IV bag port style, pole diameter, and casters.
In order to ensure that portable IV stands can be maneuvered efficiently, they must be constructed from high-quality materials. The top and pole of a quality hospital IV stand are typically made from stainless steel or chrome for durability and ease of cleaning and disinfection, while the base can be constructed from aluminum, lightweight cast iron, or heavy, stabilizing cast iron. Cast iron is ideal for IV stands that will need to withstand the weight of additional equipment like an infusion pump.
Another feature of an efficient, easy to use hospital IV stand is its height adjustment. IV poles that are too low can be difficult for nurses to reach and may require extra effort when attaching medical bags, which can result in poor clinical outcomes. The optimal height range for an IV stand is approximately 47” to 84”, but some specialized poles extend up to 90”. IV stands that have adjustable height options offer greater flexibility and can accommodate a variety of healthcare environments.
3. Stability
In order to provide safe and effective healthcare, medical equipment needs to be stable. This is particularly important for intravenous (IV) poles, which are used by medical professionals to hang bags of medication or fluids for administration via tube.
To help with stability, high-quality IV poles feature bases that are crafted from strong and durable materials like stainless steel or aluminum, and have a design that allows them to be stacked on top of each other. This means hospitals can minimize storage space by storing two IV poles in the same area as one.
Additionally, the IV pole base is typically designed to hold various accessories such as infusion pumps or trays and be easily wheeled from room to room. This is important to ensure that medical staff can quickly and safely transport patients without disconnecting them from their life-saving medication or fluids.
IV poles are also typically made from a material that is highly resistant to rust and corrosion. This helps to keep them safe and sanitary for use in a sterile medical environment, and prevents the formation of dangerous bacteria or infections that can be transmitted from patient to patient.
Lastly, medical staff need to be able to maneuver the IV pole easily and quickly in a crowded hospital environment. This can be accomplished by choosing a swivel caster with a diameter that ranges from a space-saving 16 inches to a stabilizing 24 inches.
Finally, many IV poles are crafted in the United States to support American manufacturing and ensure the highest quality medical equipment for healthcare workers. This ensures that medical facilities are receiving equipment that is designed and built by engineers with healthcare workers’ preferences and requirements in mind.
4. Flexibility
IV poles and drip stands come in a wide range of sizes and designs to suit different environments and clinical needs. Some are highly specialised, such as those designed to provide intravenous fluids in paediatric settings, whilst others are more general, including those made in stainless steel. They also vary in height adjustment, wheel type and how many hooks they have available for use.
Having a quality rolling IV stand is important to help medical professionals move quickly and easily between hospitals rooms and operating theatres. This makes it easier for them to deliver life-saving medications and fluids to patients, and saves time and energy. A high-quality IV stand is also designed with a base that’s heavy enough to stay stable and reliable even when the patient moves or changes position.
Some IV stands are specifically designed to minimise storage space by having a base that allows them to be stacked together when not in use. This can reduce storage requirements significantly and makes them easy to transport. This feature is especially useful for wards where the IV stands are needed but aren’t used all of the time.
A good quality IV stand can also be easily adjusted to the right height, so that it is comfortable for nurses to use. This is called ergonomics, and it is important for both the safety and satisfaction of staff and patients alike.
Finally, a good IV stand can be designed to have a colourful and fun appearance. This can help to reduce the clinical feel of the ward and make it feel more like home for patients. For example, some IV poles are designed in cheerful mouse and aeroplane themes to help children feel more comfortable during their treatment.
5. Cost
When it comes to healthcare equipment, hospitals and other medical facilities need to choose wisely. They must invest in products that will save time and money, provide the best possible patient care, and, above all, be reliable. This is especially true when it comes to IV pole stands.
These medical devices allow nurses and other healthcare workers to transport patients throughout a hospital or clinic without the need to disconnect them from their intravenous (IV) lines. This improves efficiency and ensures that the life-saving fluids are always within reach for patients. It also gives patients more freedom to leave their beds for meals, bathroom breaks, or just a stroll around the hospital.
But not all IV poles are created equal, and the cost of a quality stand can vary greatly. The most important factor to consider is durability. IV stands should be made from a durable material, such as stainless steel or aluminum. Chrome plated poles are less expensive, but they can rust over time. Stainless steel IV poles are much more resistant to rust and corrosion, and they are designed to last longer than other materials.
Other important features to look for in an IV pole include a base that can be wheeled easily and reliably over changes in elevation, as well as casters that are quiet, non-marking, and won’t snag on floor debris. These casters should also be resistant to chemicals and able to withstand heavy loads.
Many medical IV poles are also designed with additional features that make them more efficient for healthcare workers. For example, some have wire baskets that are custom-designed to attach to the IV pole and hold clipboards, notebooks, or other supplies. Others have monitor stands that can be attached to the IV pole and hold even the heaviest of vital signs monitors.
