Storage Systems Unlimited
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Category: Smart Solutions

Setting the Pace for Healthcare Efficiency: InnerSpace’s Pace Carts

InnerSpace’s Pace Carts are designed to meet the demands of modern healthcare environments, providing a versatile and adaptable solution for storing and transporting medical supplies and equipment.

The Pace Cart introduces a cutting-edge security/technology option that takes Pace to the next level. This feature enables seamless remote management and monitoring of your entire Pace fleet. By integrating InterConnect locks with the InnerSpace Cloud platform, your locks transform into a sophisticated WiFi-enabled system. This not only enhances security but also provides the convenience of centralized control from a single computer, adding a new dimension to the management of your Pace carts.

InnerSpace offers a wide variety of Pace Carts to suit the specific needs of different healthcare settings. These include:

  • Pace Standard Carts: These are the most versatile of the Pace Carts, offering a variety of features and configurations to meet the needs of most healthcare environments.
  • Pace Narrow Carts: These carts are designed for use in tight spaces, such as hallways or patient rooms.
  • Pace Specialty Carts: These carts are designed for specific applications, such as code carts, isolation carts, and anesthesia carts.

PERFORMANCE and EFFICIENCY

All InnerSpace Pace Carts provide several features that make them ideal for use in healthcare settings. These features include:

  • Lightweight aluminum case: This makes the carts easy to maneuver, even when fully loaded.
  • Durable bumper and base: This protects the cart from damage.
  • Seamless work surface with raised edges: This helps to prevent spills and keep the work surface clean.
  • 5” medical-grade casters: These casters provide smooth, quiet operation and are easy to clean.
  • Keyed lock: This helps to secure the cart’s contents.

InnerSpace Pace Carts are designed with ergonomics in mind. The carts are adjustable to accommodate the height of the user, and the handles are designed for a comfortable grip. This helps to reduce fatigue and strain, especially for healthcare workers who use the carts on a daily basis.

Innerspace Pace Carts are highly mobile, thanks to their 5” medical-grade casters. These casters provide smooth, quiet operation and are easy to clean. This makes it easy to move the carts around the healthcare setting, even when they are fully loaded.

In addition to easy maneuverability, their Pace Carts are highly customizable, with a variety of options available to meet the specific needs of each healthcare setting. This includes options for drawer configurations, accessories, and finishes.

Innerspace’s Pace Carts are a valuable addition for any healthcare setting. They are versatile, adaptable, and easy to use. With a 14-day lead time, you can get your carts quickly and easily.

For more information on Innerspace’s Pace Carts, contact our team at 888-614-0004 or request a quote today.

Elevate Infection Control with Blickman Hand Sanitation and Handwashing Solutions During National Handwashing Awareness Week

National Handwashing Awareness Week is a reminder of the importance of maintaining proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infections. In healthcare facilities, where the risk of infections is particularly high, implementing effective hand sanitation and handwashing practices is paramount. Storage Systems Unlimited recognizes the significance of this week and emphasizes the role of Blickman’s innovative solutions in enhancing infection control.

Blickman’s Commitment to Infection Control

As a leading provider of medical equipment and solutions, Blickman has long been at the forefront of infection control initiatives. Their commitment to creating products that meet the highest standards of hygiene and safety aligns perfectly with the objectives of National Handwashing Awareness Week. Blickman’s range of hand sanitation and handwashing sink products offers healthcare facilities reliable tools to mitigate the risk of infections.

Blickman Hand Sanitation Stations

Blickman’s hand sanitation stations are designed to provide convenient and accessible hand hygiene solutions throughout healthcare facilities. These stations are strategically placed to encourage regular hand sanitization, reducing the potential for cross-contamination. Equipped with user-friendly features and durable construction, Blickman hand sanitation stations are a valuable asset in maintaining a clean and safe environment.

Key Features:

  • Touchless Technology: Blickman hand sanitation stations often incorporate touchless dispensing technology, minimizing contact and reducing the risk of spreading germs.
  • Durable Materials: Constructed with high-quality materials, Blickman’s products are built to withstand the demands of healthcare environments, ensuring longevity and reliability.
  • Ergonomic Design: The ergonomic design of Blickman hand sanitation stations promotes user compliance by making hand hygiene easy and accessible for all healthcare staff.

Blickman Handwashing Sinks

In addition to hand sanitation stations, Blickman offers a range of handwashing sinks designed for optimal infection control. These sinks are crafted with precision to meet the specific needs of healthcare facilities, providing a dedicated space for thorough handwashing.

Key Features:

  • Infection-Resistant Surfaces: Blickman handwashing sinks feature materials that resist bacterial growth, contributing to a more hygienic environment.
  • Easy Maintenance: Designed with ease of maintenance in mind, Blickman sinks streamline cleaning processes, ensuring compliance with rigorous hygiene standards.
  • Customizable Options: Blickman understands that different healthcare settings have unique requirements. Their handwashing sinks come in a variety of configurations to accommodate diverse facility layouts and operational needs such as scrub sinks and decontamination sinks utilized in surgical suites.

As we observe National Handwashing Awareness Week, it’s essential to recognize the pivotal role of innovative solutions in infection control. Blickman’s commitment to providing high-quality hand sanitation and handwashing products makes them a trusted partner in the quest for a safer and healthier healthcare environment. By incorporating Blickman’s solutions, facilities can actively contribute to the prevention of infections and promote a culture of hand hygiene year-round. Request a quote today to safeguard the well-being of both healthcare professionals and patients.

Preventing Drug Diversion, and the Damage It Can Do, Begins With Awareness

Drug diversion, the redirection of prescription medications from their intended purpose, is a major problem that ultimately affects everybody. This unlawful activity (it’s a felony), whether motivated by personal use or financial gain, is costly and dangerous. It takes an enormous toll on the U.S. health system, as well as on both the people receiving care and those providing the care. Everyone in the pharmaceutical chain of custody, from manufacturers to prescribers to clinicians and other healthcare staff, has a responsibility to help prevent diversion. Local, state and federal government and law enforcement agencies also must do their part.

Efforts must begin with awareness of the problem.

For patients, the diversion of drugs, particularly opiates, can result in various bad outcomes. “In every organization, drug diversion is a potential threat to patient safety,” warns The Joint Commission, a nonprofit body that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations in the United States. “Risks to patients include inadequate pain relief and exposure to infectious diseases from contaminated needles and drugs, compounded by potentially unsafe care due to the health care worker’s impaired performance.”

For healthcare workers, diversion may be an act of desperation resulting from their own drug dependence or an attempt to profit financially from their access to narcotics or other controlled substances. The American Nurses Association and the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) have estimated that 10% of nurses may struggle with drug dependence. Nurses aren’t the only ones affected: Addiction strikes workers at all levels, from technicians to top physicians. Drug-dependent healthcare workers pose a threat to themselves and others; in addition to physical harm and even death, they can do irreparable damage to their reputations and careers. The pandemic heightened stress and burnout among healthcare workers, further increasing the motivation and potential for drug diversion.

For healthcare organizations, diversion is not only a legal liability but also a financial drain that costs the industry an estimated $70 billion a year. Diversion at hospitals and other medical facilities can lead to fines, lost Medicare reimbursement eligibility and compromised public trust. Because diversion often goes undetected, however, the true costs—both economically and in terms of medical harm—may never be known. The consequences of supply chain shortages, for example, can be wide-ranging and devastating, affecting every entity in that chain.

The general public pays, too, in the form of higher healthcare costs, including Medicare and Medicaid; risks to public safety; tax money spent on treatment and rehabilitation programs; and other ripple effects.

Storage Systems Unlimited is mindful of its role in the healthcare ecosystem, and privileged to be in a position to help other organizations combat this very real crisis.

Strategies, Tactics and Tools for Combating Drug Diversion

Strategies, tactics and tools for combating drug diversion revolve around accountability, controls and security, tracking and monitoring, education and training, and collaboration among agencies and entities. At every point in the chain of custody, those involved should be aware of their role and the potential repercussions if they fail to fulfill that role.

Efforts at the federal level span multiple agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Diversion Control Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which work with states in various ways. Efforts include reducing improper payments for prescription drugs, identifying providers with high-potential aberrant prescribing patterns, enhancing provider oversight, monitoring pain management clinics, and providing education on best practices.

Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), electronic databases that track controlled substances prescriptions in a particular state, can alert health officials to suspicious prescription and patient behaviors. CMS encourages physicians and pharmacists to both update and access PDMPs to identify possible abuse.

Within the hospital setting, operating rooms, emergency departments and anesthesiology departments have been especially prone to drug diversion. But the problem is widespread across departments, specialties, roles and ranks.

Nurses’ vulnerability to drug diversion can be attributed to multiple factors. Everyday job pressures and long shifts can add up to stress, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, and both physical and emotional pain. Easy access to opiates offers a temptation that many can’t resist, and that can quickly become a snowballing problem.

One of the best defenses against drug diversion by nurses is peer awareness. Nurses must be trained not only on how to avoid falling prey to the temptations of narcotics, but also how to recognize signs of drug-impaired or -dependent colleagues. And they must be willing to speak up if they have suspicions about a colleague—to prevent harm and to allow the colleague to receive help if necessary.

Helping Healthcare Organizations Fight Against Drug Diversion

At Storage Systems Unlimited, our offerings include a range of products designed to help healthcare organizations in their fight against drug diversion. For example:

  • Narcotics cabinets. A wall-mounted box can safely secure valuable and potentially harmful medication, enabling precise tracking of inventory and deterring theft. Narcotics cabinet 2801AQ from Harloff is made of heavy-duty 18-gauge steel, with dual door construction; true double locking protection with two high-security pick-resistant tubular locks; four separately keyed locks; and full-length stainless steel pinned door hinges that prevent pin removal.
  • Medication carts. We offer multiple types of carts that can be customized to meet your medication needs. The Avalo ACSDI Bin Cassette Medication Cart from Capsa Healthcare features keyless access with auto-relocking. The EVA Series of computer carts from Simplifi Medical provides medication security and visibility at the bedside with individually locking, patient-specific drawers that can be accessed by scanning the patient ID barcode. Waterloo’s HTK1-33TTT6 key locking cart has a tamper-resistant key locking system.
  • Anesthesia carts. Harloff’s Mini Anesthesia Cart is an electronic locking cart with keypad or proximity access and key lock override, along with drawers that automatically relock after access according to preset or programmed time.

Storage Systems Unlimited is a leading provider of storage solutions for healthcare organizations of all sizes. We offer a multitude of storage products, including carts, shelves, containers and more. We also offer preferred pricing, planning, design, installation and project management for healthcare organization and storage systems. Want to learn more? Contact us at 1-888-614-0004 or request a quote today.

Sustainability Is a Goal We Can All Work Together to Achieve

A glance at our client list offers quick confirmation that Storage Systems Unlimited is committed to helping healthcare organizations provide safe, efficient and effective care to the communities they serve. We have established a track record of excellence, consistency and reliability in offering the best products and services to leading hospitals, health systems and industry purchasing groups.

We also believe wholeheartedly in the importance of a healthy environment—an ideal that is intertwined with our goal of healthy populations. Key to these pursuits is the concept of sustainability.

In 1987, the United Nations’ Brundtland Commission arrived at a definition of sustainability that carries a built-in challenge: “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” While that may sound simple on the surface, a look around shows that we as humans remain far from ensuring that reality. It takes hard work, intentionality and constant awareness of how our actions affect the world around us.

Awareness should permeate our structures, systems and processes, informing our day-to-day actions as well as our long-term decisions. This mindset should help guide, in no particular order (and depending on scope of work), decisions relating to areas including:

  • Products and materials purchased
  • Disposal of materials
  • Reduction of waste and pollution
  • Material reuse and recycling
  • Manufacturing processes
  • Product delivery
  • Compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations

Powerful Partnerships

While Storage Systems is not a manufacturer, we are privileged to work with some of the top manufacturers for the healthcare industry. By distributing their fine products, we are not only providing healthcare organizations with the tools they need to do their jobs to the best of their abilities, but also supporting their sustainability efforts. Here are just a few examples.

  • Pedigo Products, based in Vancouver, Washington, demonstrates its commitment to minimizing its impact on the planet in all it does. Its manufacturing processes emphasize reclamation, recycling and waste reduction. Its plant and offices use skylights to reduce the amount of electricity needed to illuminate the workspace. It uses environmentally friendly packing materials, vegetable-based inks, Forest Stewardship Council-certified mixed-source paper and renewable clean wind power.
  • Akro-Mils’ new Earthsaver™ Series makes its popular AkroBins® and Shelf Bins available in 100% recycled plastic. These products, easy to label for quick inventory identification, are designed to boost productivity in virtually any setting, from healthcare to manufacturing, retail and distribution. Bundled with Akro-Mils’ steel and wire shelving and pick racks, they can create a complete storage and organization system supporting 5S Lean and other initiatives for reducing waste and optimizing productivity.
  • Capsa Healthcare, maker of mobile computing workstations, medical carts and more, has a sustainability strategy that stresses environmental responsibility. Capsa requires all employees and managers to follow established processes aimed at minimal adverse environmental consequence; minimizing waste, pollution, and health and safety risks; and reuse and
  • Metro’s storage and productivity solutions for healthcare, foodservice, science and industrial organizations reflect a commitment to environmentally friendly products and processes. For example, 100% of InterMetro’s North American manufacturing processes using stainless steel wire, tubing and sheet metal are made from recycled stainless steel metal; and 78% of its waste materials are recycled.
  • Quantum Storage offers environmentally friendly Recycled Bins made of high-quality polypropylene recycled from 100% post-consumer products.
  • Simplifi, which specializes in medical carts, employed a “sustainability by design” approach to creating a fleet management strategy with core design principles for modularity, scalability, flexibility, power efficiency, quality, service and cost. A key pillar of this design is the efficiency gained by using battery power as a direct source for DC-powered equipment.
  • Staxi, a leading manufacturer of medical transport chairs, is committed to reducing its carbon footprint. The company has partnered with Carbonfund.org to offset all of its carbon emissions, from offices to its warehouse, and is also working to offset all carbon emissions resulting from the manufacture, transportation and delivery of its products.

Storage Systems is proud to be a distributor of products from each of these manufacturers.

Doing Our Part

Beyond working with environmentally responsible partners, Storage Systems remains vigilant for ways we can contribute to a more sustainable world. One small way we do so is by bundling orders from multiple manufacturers, when possible, in order to reduce the amount of transport needed to get products to their destination.

Storage Systems Unlimited is a leading provider of storage solutions for healthcare organizations of all sizes. We offer a multitude of storage products, including carts, shelves, containers and more. We also offer preferred pricing, planning, design, installation and project management for healthcare organization and storage systems. Want to learn more? Contact us at 1-888-614-0004 or request a quote today.

Improving Patient Safety With MRI-Compatible Equipment

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology is an indispensable tool because of its ability to provide accurate, non-invasive and detailed imaging of the body. Because MRIs provide better soft tissue contrast than CT scans, these images can help physicians differentiate between fat, water, muscle and other soft tissue. Physicians use MR images to diagnose a variety of conditions and diseases.

Although MRIs are important for medical diagnostics, they are not without their unique challenges and risks. Radiation is not used during the procedure, so there is no risk of exposure during an MRI. However, the MRI machine uses powerful magnets that produce a strong magnetic field. In fact, high-strength clinical MRI scanners are 60,000 times the strength of the Earth’s own ambient magnetic field, according to an article from Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare (PSQH). Because of this, patients with implanted devices, neurostimulators and certain prosthetic devices cannot have an MRI. Additionally, the strong magnetic field can attract magnetic objects found in the MRI suite—items as small as keys and as substantial as oxygen tanks. That is why it is of utmost importance, the Food and Drug Administration says, to carefully screen all people and objects entering the MRI suite to ensure nothing can act as a projectile and cause harm to patients or employees.

At Storage Systems Unlimited, we offer a variety of MRI-compatible equipment—including transport chairs and medical carts—specifically designed to enter the MRI suite. These specialized pieces of equipment are crafted using non-ferrous materials, meaning they remain unaffected by the MRI scanner’s magnetic forces.

Eliminating Complex Transfers With MRI-Compatible Transport Chairs

Efficiency is key in a busy hospital environment. MRI-compatible transport chairs—such as the Staxi-MR Transport Chair—can streamline the process of moving patients to and from the MRI suite. Designed to work within the magnetic environment, the chair eliminates the complex transfers or time-consuming safety checks.

The Staxi-MR Transport Chair has lifting armrests and a lifting footrest for easy side entry and front entry. Wheels are made with an anti-tip design, and the chair is equipped with a never-fail brake. Even better, the Staxi-MR Transport Chair meets the criteria for MR Conditional to an MRI system having a magnetic field strength of up to 3.0 T and a magnetic field gradient of 3K Gauss/cm. MR Conditional refers to a “medical device with demonstrated safety in the MR environment within defined conditions including conditions for the static magnetic field, the time-varying gradient magnetic fields, and the radiofrequency fields,” according to the FDA and the ASTM F2503-20 standards.

The Pediatric Touch: MRI-Compatible Pediatric Carts

Pediatric patients have unique medical needs, and having pediatric carts readily available is crucial. These carts help ensure that your hospital can provide specialized care to children efficiently and safely—and having an MRI-compatible pediatric cart is an even greater advantage.

At Storage Systems Unlimited, we offer the Harloff Aluminum MRI Compatible Pediatric Crash Cart, which is specifically designed for treating pediatric emergencies by using a multicolored drawer labeling system comparable to the Broselow color-coding method. The Broselow system ensures precise medication dosing, equipment selection, and procedures tailored to a child’s specific weight and height. The Harloff cart uses non-magnetic materials such as “low-ferrous, ball-bearing, full extension drawer slides and low-ferrous 5-inch sealed ball-bearing casters,” earning it the designation of MR Conditional by ASTM 52503-20 standards. This color-coded cart, when combined with MRI compatibility, is a valuable asset for hospitals, allowing providers to safely treat young patients within the MRI suite.

MRI-compatible equipment can help keep patients—young and old—and providers safe in the MRI suite. To learn more about our MRI-compatible product offerings, contact us at 1-888-614-0004 or visit storagesystemsul.com to learn more or request a quote.

Healing in Style: Transforming the Healthcare Environment With Woodgrain and Laminate Products

The environment in which patients receive healthcare plays a pivotal role in their overall experience. From the moment they walk through the doors of a hospital or care facility, patients and their family members form impressions that can profoundly impact their well-being, comfort and perception of the quality of care they are about to receive. In today’s healthcare landscape, patient satisfaction scores matter more than ever, making it crucial for healthcare organizations to prioritize every aspect of the patient experience.

In this blog post, we showcase the importance of creating aesthetically pleasing healthcare facilities to enhance patient satisfaction and perceptions of care. Discover how the integration of woodgrain and laminate storage solutions can transform clinical spaces into warm, inviting environments. These versatile products not only add visual appeal but also offer durability, functionality, customization and versatility essential for healthcare facilities.

The Impact of Aesthetics on Patient Well-Being

The healthcare environment has a direct influence on a patient’s recovery and mental state. The traditional clinical and sterile aesthetics of hospitals can exacerbate stress and anxiety in patients. Creating an atmosphere that feels calming, warm and familiar can go a long way in alleviating these negative emotions. Here’s how:

1 | reduce stress and anxiety:

A welcoming and aesthetically pleasing environment can significantly reduce the stress and anxiety often associated with medical procedures and hospital stays. It can promote a sense of comfort and relaxation, contributing to improved patient outcomes.

2 | enhance patient comfort:

Patients who feel comfortable in their surroundings are more likely to have a positive experience during their healthcare journey. Aesthetic elements can contribute to a sense of coziness and familiarity. For example, in the PICU and NICU, medical storage solutions at the bedside are critical because necessary medications and supplies must always be in reach. While functionality is incredibly important in the PICU and NICU, so is comfort for the parents and family members who are there with their newborns. Woodgrain and laminate storage solutions, such as the mobile carts and stationary cabinets available through InnerSpace, add warmth and a touch of comfort to a highly clinical area of the hospital.

3 | better perception of care:

Patients form judgments about the quality of care they will receive based on the appearance and ambience of the healthcare facility. A well-maintained, aesthetically pleasing facility can instill confidence in patients and their families, setting the stage for a positive experience.

Blending Style and Functionality With Woodgrain and Laminate Storage Solutions

Woodgrain and laminate storage solutions can help create an aesthetically pleasing—yet completely functional—healthcare environment. Products made with these materials offer many advantages, including:

1 | durability:

Woodgrain and laminate materials are known for their durability. In a healthcare setting where frequent use and cleaning are necessary, these solutions can withstand the test of time, maintaining their appearance and functionality.

2 | functionality:

Storage solutions are an essential part of any healthcare facility. Woodgrain and laminate options can be customized to meet specific storage needs, providing ample space for medical supplies, patient records and other essentials. Products like lockers and cabinets, such as those provided by InnerSpace, are available with laminate and/or wood compression boards and can be made to look similar to cabinets found at home—yet still be completely functional with shelves and baskets that are easily configured and reconfigured.

3 | customization:

These materials come in a variety of colors, patterns and finishes, allowing healthcare facilities to tailor the design to match their unique aesthetic preferences. Customization enables facilities to create a cohesive and appealing look throughout. CartStrong’s woodgrain bedside cabinets, for example, are available in five finishes and can be customized with electronic and key lock options, exposed or hidden casters, drawer configurations, and optional glides.

4 | versatility:

Woodgrain and laminate solutions can be used in various areas of a healthcare facility, from patient rooms to waiting areas and administrative spaces. Their versatility makes it easy to maintain a cohesive and pleasing design throughout the facility.

A Step in the Right Direction

As healthcare organizations continue to prioritize patient satisfaction and the overall patient experience, investing in aesthetically pleasing environments is a step in the right direction. By choosing woodgrain and laminate storage solutions, healthcare facilities can strike the perfect balance between style and functionality, ensuring that patients and their families feel at ease during their healthcare journey.

Storage Systems Unlimited is a leading provider of storage solutions for healthcare organizations of all sizes. We offer a multitude of woodgrain and laminate storage products, including carts, shelves, containers and more. We also offer preferred pricing, planning, design, installation and project management for healthcare organization and storage systems. Want to learn more? Contact us at 1-888-614-0004 or request a quote today.