The Advantages of Hot-Swap Batteries in Medical Computers

Hot swappable batteries in medical cart computers and desktop medical PCs redefine the 24/7 uptime, performance and ergonomics qualities of health IT solutions.

As healthcare organizations are looking to cut costs on the one hand, & increase care quality & patient satisfaction on the other, technology becomes the business enabler. The ergonomic and energy-efficient technology that enables 24/7 equipment uptime is paramount in healthcare and first responder services. That is why the hot-swap, or hot swappable, batteries are becoming the new norm in health IT solutions, changing the definition of a medical computer’s performance & ergonomics.

Hot-swap batteries can be removed and inserted safely into a medical computer without shutting down. All-in-One medical grade computers powered by hot swappable batteries are actively populating the medical cart computer category, replacing the laptops and obsolete computers that required powered carts or bulky external UPS.

The advantages of medical cart computers with hot-swappable batteries for both medical professionals and patients are numerous.

Full-Shift Uptime, No More Distractions Checking The Battery Status

A computer or laptop typically comes with an internal battery or requires a power outlet. For mobile solutions, health IT specialists have to provide either a powered medical cart or an external UPS. The first option has limits in a way that it can only run independently for several hours, and requires a recharge some time mid-shift, or more often. The external UPS, on the other hand, allows hospitals to keep using the non-powered medical carts, but are bulky and require additional wiring to power the computer.

In either case, a nurse using the medical cart computer has to keep an eye on the charge status and move the cart to a power outlet when the need arises, which creates a noticeable distraction. The distraction accumulates as nurses are traditionally multitasking doing patient rounds and dispensing drugs. They need to be able to keep track of their regular duties and patients, not monitoring battery status of a laptop or a UPS.

Three hot-swappable batteries in a medical computer efficiently solve that problem as they provide a total of 16 hours uptime. Paired with a three-slot charging station, they guarantee 24/7 uptime, which is exactly what the hospitals need. Cybernet’s medical cart computer, for example, can run on one battery while the other two are charging. Likewise, you can have two sets of three batteries, and always have a 16-hour power pack at hand. This way, your staff never has to move your medical cart computers to a power outlet and interrupt their routines.

That said, on-screen pop-ups and indicator lights provide timely notification when the charge is getting low, so your nurses do not have to keep that issue at the back of their minds.

Power Outages – Not A Concern

Hospitals have complex systems that allow them to stay operational during power outages and major disaster events, as human lives depend on medical equipment remaining functional non-stop. As infrequent as massive disasters are, your EHR system is more likely to lose data due to a simple issue of a laptop or computer having no or very small battery capacity. In such cases, your staff can lose valuable data when they have to shut down until recharge.

Hot-swap batteries, in this case, provide significant relief. Even if the rest of your facility is running from a backup generator during a power outage, your medical computers (mounted on carts, walls, or desktops) keep running as usual. No interruptions, completeness of patient records, more saved lives and more effective care. With non-stop data capability, any relevant patient records, test results, and physician notes are accessible for review or update on the spot.

Cross-referencing allergies, medication contradictions, and care episodes is vital – having timely access to that data leads to fewer mistakes, more productivity, and better patient outcomes. No more running back and forth updating patient records at desktop PCs or using pen and paper during power outages – all the data is on the medical computer your staff can take from room to room, enjoying the power of a desktop PC and the mobility of a medical cart.

Ergonomics, Mobility

Ergonomic qualities of medical computers powered by hot-swap batteries are significantly higher than those of conventionally powered equipment. The ability to run full-shift without needing a power outlet makes such computers ideal for healthcare environments, where wire clutter is an issue.

Removing the power cabling from the equation makes your medical computers not only more ergonomic but also safer for your medical staff and patients. Fewer cables to trip over translates to better safety, especially in geriatric and long-term care facilities.

Another advantage hot-swap batteries grant medical cart computers is the light weight. CyberMed NB22, for example, weighs 15.35 lbs without and 18.25 lbs with batteries, so it is easy for your staff to push the cart.

Upgrade Your Medical Carts

Many organizations have to push aside the non-powered medical carts, UPS-based solutions or obsolete powered medical carts due to poor power system performance. Medical cart computers with hot-swappable batteries enable hospitals to upgrade their older carts and keep using them, enjoying the benefits of a 24/7 uptime provided by modern technology. This eliminates the need to acquire new powered carts.

Read more about how aging medical technology can be upgraded and integrated into a new healthcare system.

Time & Cost Efficiency

Hot swappable batteries medical grade computers help hospitals cut costs because they offer a more affordable solution than traditional powered carts with expensive, large and heavy batteries that a) take longer to charge; and b) provide a shorter uptime without charging.

Three hot-swap batteries with the 16-hour charge guarantee a full-shift uptime, & every shift can start with the fully charged batteries. The time efficiency of always operating and accessible medical cart computer, or a desktop medical PC, is significant. With the critical EHR data at your staff’s fingertips, the patient care is all the more accurate and efficient.

Conclusion

As EHR systems are replacing traditional data storage forms, using a portable, powerful, always powered and independent medical cart computer allows hospitals and long-term care facilities to make the switch to the digitized, energy-efficient healthcare and cut costs at the same time.