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Pedigo’s Guide to Case Carts: Closed, Sealed, and Open Options

Correctly setting up for your surgical cases can be just as important as performing the procedure. Surgical case carts play a pivotal role in streamlining processes by providing a reliable method for storing and transporting surgical instruments and supplies to and from the Sterile Processing Department (SPD). There are three primary types of surgical case carts: open, closed, and sealed. In this article, we will explore the best practices, uses, and benefits of each type. Additionally, we will highlight how Pedigo’s innovative designs can enhance your sterile processes.

What is a case cart used for?

Surgical case carts are essential in medical settings for organizing, storing, and transporting surgical instruments and supplies to and from the SPD to the Operating Room (OR). They are designed to help maintain sterility and streamline surgical case setups, ensuring that everything needed for a procedure is readily accessible. Proper utilization of surgical case carts for your healthcare facility can significantly improve the efficiency of your OR turnovers and SPD

Closed Case Carts

Definition and Features

Closed case carts feature enclosed compartments with secure doors, providing enhanced protection for the contents inside. Closed case carts are the ideal choice for increased sterility maintenance when transporting surgical equipment.

Uses and Benefits

Enhanced Sterility: Protects instruments and supplies from contaminants, maintaining a sterile environment.
Containment: Keeps contents secure and reduces the risk of accidental spills or loss of items.
Durability: Designed to withstand the rigors of frequent loading and cleaning.
Shelving customizability: Multiple shelving options to customize the cart to best suit your needs.

Considerations

Size: Requires more floor space and hallway clearance.

Sealed Case Carts

Definition and Features

Sealed case carts take the concept of closed case carts a step further by incorporating environmental seals around their compartments. Sealed case carts are often used when sterile processing is conducted off site from the healthcare facility where the surgical cases are taking place.

Uses and Benefits

Ultimate Sterility: Sealed case carts provide the highest level of protection against contamination and spillage of biohazard material, making them ideal for offsite sterile processing.
Extended Storage: Instruments can be safely stored for longer periods without risk of contamination.
Cleaning: Designed to work with cart washers for automated cleaning.

Considerations

Increased Cost: The additional protection of the seal adds cost and complexity compared to standard closed case carts.

Open Carts

Definition and Features

Open case carts are designed with shelves free of doors or other obstructions, allowing easy access to instruments and supplies. These carts are often favored for their visibility and convenience.

Uses and Benefits

Visibility: Allows staff to see and retrieve needed items without opening doors or compartments.
Versatility: Can be used in various healthcare settings like distribution and instrument sterilization.
Lightweight Design: Easy to maneuver and transport, reducing strain on staff and improving overall workflow efficiency.

Considerations

Exposure to Contaminants: Items on open shelves require additional protection measures to reduce chances of compromised sterility.
Sterile Coverage Requirement: The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, ANSI/AAMI ST79 6.4 clearly states expectations: “Contaminated items should be contained during their transport from the point of use to the decontamination area. …Containers, devices, or carts must be marked with a biohazard label or other means of identifying contaminated contents.”, For open case carts used in surgical settings, the best practice is to utilize a cart cover to maintain sterility.
Customization: Open carts often have limited ability for customizations seen on closed carts, i.e. roll-out shelving, biohazard wheels, etc.

Choosing the Right Cart for Your Facility

When selecting the appropriate surgical case cart, it is essential to consider the unique needs and challenges of your facility. Factors such as the types of surgeries performed, your sterile processing techniques and location all play a critical role in this decision. Open, closed, and sealed case carts each offer distinct advantages and potential considerations. Understanding these can help you make an informed choice that enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of your hospital.

Pedigo’s Case Carts

Pedigo’s surgical case carts are designed with the considerations mentioned above, providing solutions that cater to a wide range of healthcare environments and requirements. Here’s how our innovative designs can help improve your SPD processes and surgical outcomes.

As the leading case cart manufacturer, we offer many types of carts to best suit your staff and facility’s needs. Some of our customers favorites are:

Pedigo revolution case cart

Rev-o-lu-tion™ case cart: An industry-first, our revolution case carts feature cart doors with scratch-resistant windows, cool-touch handles, sealed ball bearing wheels, CartStat, and more. This cart is ideal for customers with cart washes.
Gen-3 case cart: Our newest case cart, features an integrated body and floor for increased cart durability, new bumper design, cool touch handles, and roll-out shelves with two-position latch mechanisms.
Sealed case carts: These case carts feature a full seal around the door perimeter providing an added level of protection against dust and debris. Learn more about our industry-leading sealed case carts here.
Open carts: Fully-welded frame made with high-grade stainless steel, our open carts offer the most versatility and durability for your healthcare facility needs.

Customizable

We are committed to delivering lifetime value for our customers by providing high-quality, durable products and exceptional service that meet their evolving needs. All of our carts can be manufactured to individual specifications. Here are some of our key competitive case cart offerings:

Shelving: We offer multiple different types of shelving options, such as wire, solid stainless steel, roll out shelving and more.
Size: All of our case cart lines offer a wide range of size options.
Accessories: CartStat, corrosion resistant casters, security latches, automatic couplers and more accessories here.
Wheels: Choose from our stainless steel or corrosion resistant wheels. In addition, we offer wheels with direction and total lock capabilities.
Cart covers: Made with puncture resistant material and custom designed for your healthcare facility’s needs.

Pedigo Delivers

Selecting the appropriate surgical case cart is crucial for maintaining efficiency and sterility in the operating room. Whether opting for an open, closed, or sealed design, Pedigo offers a range of solutions tailored to meet the needs of various surgical settings. By maintaining sterility, enhancing your SPD’s efficiency, and exercising best practices, Pedigo’s surgical case carts are an essential addition to any medical facility.

Since our inception, we have been working with healthcare staff to design and manufacture quality, ergonomic case carts. As the needs of our customers have evolved through technology advances, the pandemic, etc., we have continued to innovate and enhance our products, ensuring they remain relevant and effective in an ever-changing landscape.

For more information on how Pedigo’s innovative surgical case cart solutions can enhance your SPD efficiency and ensure the best outcomes for your patients, please contact us.