Did you know that around 50 million surgeries are performed by doctors every year in the United States?

Having the right operating room equipment on hand is a matter of life and death.

It’s important that you are supplied with the best operating room equipment. Having an equipment list can guide you in making sure your medical facilities are well-stocked. 

Equipment List

If you are setting up a new operating room or looking to update your current supply, having an equipment list can help you through that process.

There are often variations in the amount and type of operating room equipment between medical facilities. These differences depend on the type of medical services that you provide. In addition to the equipment on this list, make sure that you also include any other equipment necessary for all of the surgical procedures that your particular medical facility provides for patients. 

Utility Cart

Having a multipurpose utility cart is an essential component of any operating room equipment list.

Because of their versatility, multipurpose utility carts hold a wide range of possibilities. They are used in many different medical settings. Some of these include surgical centers, hospitals, laboratories, dental practices, medical schools, and veterinary centers.

One key feature to look for is locking drawers. A utility cart with locking drawers can prevent the risk of tampering or theft of important supplies and narcotics. It’s also a good idea to invest in a utility cart made of stainless steel for the sake of stability and proper sanitation.

Some medical utility carts are made for a certain function. If you need a medical utility cart for a specialized procedure, there are plenty of options on the market that can serve your needs. 

Vital Signs Monitor

Vital signs monitors are important. They are instrumental in the ongoing process of reading important information about the health of your patients.

Consider replacing your aging operating room equipment or filling up your brand new facility with state-of-the-art vital signs monitors. Newer models are constantly being developed and offered. It’s always worthwhile to check an updated equipment list to see what’s currently available.

Supplying your medical facility with new vital signs monitors is sure to be a wise investment.

Surgical Tables

Surgical tables are absolutely essential for any medical facility that offers operational procedures.

Modern surgical tables tend to offer a range of updated features. 

There are six main types of surgical tables to consider:

• general surgery tables
• orthopedic tables
• procedure tables & chairs
• imaging tables
• neurology tables
• urology & cysto tables

Each of these tables come with features specific to the type of surgical work performed on them.

A general surgery table is a basic surgery table that requires stability, convenience, and plenty of room to accommodate patients of all body types. Imaging tables offer advanced medica

l imaging, such as specialized 3-D imaging.

With neurology tables, what’s most important is the doctor’s ability to maneuver around the patient and the table with ease. These often offer hands-free features such as electro-hydraulic operation and foot-controlled tabletop slide functions.

Urology and cysto tables are designed for delicate surgical procedures. Some of the common features included with urology and cysto tables include maximizing access to the C-arm and radiolucent extension used in brachytherapy treatment. 

Providing your medical facility with modern surgical tables is a sensible, lasting investment that benefits doctors and patients.

Surgical Headlights

Surgical headlights are a key tool for many doctors. They offer much-needed increased visibility for surgeons and should be a part of any operating room equipment list.

Surgical headlights offer a variety of professional lighting options and allow surgeons a range of useful choices. Some common surgical headlight offerings include halogen and LED configurations. 

It’s important that surgical headlights are bright, comfortable, powerful, durable, and dependable.

Anesthesia Machine

Anesthesia machines are vital for any medical facility. It’s important to provide patients with a reliable anesthesia machine that can induce and maintain anesthesia.

Anesthesia machines have several critical components, including flow meters, vaporizers, and pressure gauges. Modern anesthesia machines tend to offer more safety features to protect patients from harm. Some of these features include hypoxic-mixture alarms and oxygen failure alarms. 

Older models of anesthesia machines can lack some of the features available of modern equipment.

Anesthesia machines are often used with other equipment. Some of this equipment includes mechanical ventilators and patient monitoring devices.

Capnography

Capnography is another important monitoring device. Capnography monitors the carbon dioxide in the breath cycle of patients. It can alert medical professionals to any breathing restrictions or respiratory complications that occur while a patient is sedated and unconscious. 

Modern capnography options offer many updated features that will prove advantageous for any professional medical environment. 

Laryngoscopes

Laryngoscopes are widely used in the medical field. Doctors use them to peer into the depths of the throat and larynx. A laryngoscope may be used to determine the cause of coughs for sore throats, to uncover something stuck in the throat, or to take a tissue sample. Other examples of laryngoscope use include evaluating:

• hoarseness of voice
• lumps in the neck or throat
• difficulty swallowing
• earaches
• persistent bad breath

Laryngoscopes are highly used and must eventually be replaced. Complications from laryngoscope use can lead to infections, gagging and vomiting, or bleeding. Newer models of laryngoscopes can offer safer blades and handles, allowing for better ease of use and increased comfort for the patient. 

Patient Stretcher

Patient discomfort, possible injury, and overall safety are major concerns for medical professionals when transporting patients from one place to another. The condition and stability of patient stretchers are directly tied to a patient’s experience at any medical facility.

Higher-tech models now offer motorized drives, x-ray imaging devices, alarm systems, and extra wheels to assist with smoother navigation around corners.

These modern features can benefit doctors and patients. 

EKG Machine

Arrhythmias afflict more than 4 million people and end up causing about 500,000 deaths a year in the United States.

EKG machines are a tool medical professionals use to monitor cardiac activity. Newer models of EKG machines offer better device capabilities, including:

• QRS morphology feature analysis
• deeper analysis tools
• vectorcardiography
• digital imaging. 

Biohazard Waste Cans

Disposing of biohazardous waste is an important process for all medical facilities. 

Newer models of biohazard waste cans offer better ways of containing hazardous waste. Some of these features include pads to absorb excess fluids and burn boxes designed for incineration after use.

Vein Viewers

Vein viewers are another essential tool that should be on an equipment list for any medical facility.

Vein viewers assist medical professionals with drawing blood or starting an IV. Newer vein viewers offer safer and more efficient tools to carry out this essential work. Some offer vein visualization using near-infrared (NIR) imaging. This helps healthcare providers locate veins much easier.

Vein viewers that use near-infrared imaging employ two different types of lasers. Infrared lasers and a visible red laser work together for accuracy. They allow healthcare workers to see internal details. They also mark their corresponding spots along the skin.

Hemoglobin the blood absorbs the infrared light, reducing light reflection in the veins. Modern systems in newer models of vein viewers use this data. The data is used to project digital representations of veins onto the skin.

Updating your vein viewers can reduce pain and anxiety in your patients. 

Defibrillators

There are many types of defibrillators available for use at medical facilities.

Some newer models of defibrillators include updated screens for enhanced ECG display. They can also have AED capability and allow for a quick switch from AED to manual mode. Newer defibrillators can record data and monitor temperature, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry.

Other modern features can include lighter design, continual assessment tools, and biphasic waveform shocks.

Take Action

An equipment list for any medical facility is sure to include a wide collection of tools. When evaluating your needs, consider the condition and quality of your equipment. Updating equipment is an essential investment process for any medical facility.

As a healthcare professional, ensuring the safety and comfort of your patients is a top priority. The equipment you use plays an important role in how their experience at your facility feels for them.

This equipment list can function as a guide to some basic tools you should always have on hand. Make sure to provide your team with all of the tools they need to need to do the best job they can.

Connect with us to let us know how we can meet your equipment needs. If you found any of these tips useful, feel free to explore the rest of our site for more information about our products and services.