We transport hundreds of pounds of surgical supplies and IV solution boxes to the OR and Same Day Surgery Departments every day. Is there a simple way to motorize this process?
Daily distribution of surgical supplies can be a slow and laborious process. The Ergo-Express® line of Custom Motorized Carts can improve your workload and virtually eliminate push/pull injuries. Your current carts can be retrofitted onto motorized platform carts or we can create an Ergo-Express® custom motorized cart with wire shelves or other accessories.
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We used to drag dirty pallets through the hospital with motorized pallet jacks. JCAHO put an end to that last year. Now we transfer all the materials to platform carts and push them throughout the hospital making deliveries to each department. Can you help me justify using motorized carts for these deliveries?
Using an Ergo-Express® Motorized Cart would make your deliveries less strenuous and safer. In addition, you can add a hydraulic lift to make your job even easier. With the touch of a finger, you are driving down the hall to your next drop location. Once you are there, another touch of a button and you are mechanically lifting your supplies to a safe and ergonomic height. This will allow you to pull boxes off your cart without ever bending.
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Are there specific products you recommend for Material Services or Shipping & Receiving Departments?
Both of these departments require a large amount of lifting and transporting equipment and supplies. Because of this, many of the products we offer are ideal for use in these departments. Obviously, motorized carts can be of benefit, but so can motorized lifters, hydraulic tables, and motorized tugs. In addition, accessories such as wire cages and custom enclosures can be added to our products to meet your exact requirements.
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What are the benefits of motorization?
In general, the immediate benefits are efficiency and safety. With manual carts, moving equipment, supplies and deliveries throughout the hospital can require multiple trips. Motorized carts or tugs allow one person to safely move more with one trip.
The Ergo-Express® Tug and Hitch system is ideal for moving your existing carts. This hitch requires no adaptation of your carts. Simply push down on the hitch plate with your foot and watch the Universal Hitch grab the base of your cart for effortless transport.
Motorization also makes moving equipment safer and easier. Carts are simply driven by guiding it down hallways and through doorways rather than pushing, pulling or muscling it where you it need it to be. Tugs operate in a similar way and allow you to guide the motion of a manual cart by allowing the tug to provide the force.
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Can you help us determine and demonstrate how these factors would specifically benefit our organization?
Yes, we offer a free customized risk assessment and cost analysis, which can be used to determine the benefits of motorization in your department. This information can be invaluable in your decision-making and approval processes.
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Is there a way to motorize our current carts?
Yes, your current cart or equipment can be retrofitted and mounted on a motorized platform cart.
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What is an “on demand” retractable drive?
The retractable drive feature on an Ergo Express® cart retracts (or lifts) the two motorized wheels off the floor with the push of a button. Much like raising the fifth wheel on a gurney, this allows the cart to have 360 degree maneuverability from the four wheels that remain on the ground. The benefit is that the cart can easily be positioned into tight treatment rooms and elevators.
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Do the carts require regular maintenance? How frequently?
The only regular maintenance is to replace the battery each year. To help you remember, a reminder letter is sent on the 11th month of each year with information on how to order a new battery. Installation is quick and easy.
Depending on usage, casters and wheels wear out – just like the tires on your car, but that is a less frequent maintenance item that varies for every department.
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Are you available if I have questions?
Yes, 24/7 technical support assistance is provided for the life of your cart. It doesn’t end when your warranty ends. You can call any time, day or night, for anything from how to turn the key to how to replace the battery.
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What safety features do your carts have?
Our carts have numerous safety features built in. These include:
- Self Braking – Immediate controlled deceleration when you release the throttle. The transaxle is locked so the cart cannot move forward or backward until you pull back on the throttle.
- In Motion Alarm with On/Off Control – Alert those around you as you move. Can also be turned off in quiet surroundings.
- Emergency Stop Switch – Also called the Emergency Brake Button. This large, blue button on the end of the controller immediately locks the brake when depressed, regardless of whether you are traveling forward or in reverse.
- Forward/Reverse Directional Control – Safety feature that forces you to cognitively decide if you are going to travel forward or in reverse.
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