The dressing trolley is a very important piece of equipment for nurses and hospitals alike. It stores all the supplies they will need and allows them to move comfortably to patient rooms to carry out the corresponding treatments. It consists of two or three trays that hold the necessary instruments. On the side there should be a waste bag for storing refuse. Depending on the ward or area of the facility, each trolley may differ. Each one has specific functions and is designed for particular purposes.
What should a good nursing dressing trolley contain?
- Sterile drapes
- Hypoallergenic adhesive tape in various sizes
- Cotton wool
- Sterile and non-sterile gloves in various sizes
- Disposable syringes in various sizes
- Bandages of different sizes and types
- Physiological saline solution
- Antiseptics
- The medications required to carry out the patient’s treatment
On the upper section of the dressing trolley sits a metal box. This box also stores wound-care materials such as: a grooved probe, bandage scissors, Pean forceps, a scalpel handle with disposable blades, and button-tipped probes. Customised trolleys are now available, which can be adapted to your preferences.
There are several types:
- Multifunction carts: used in cardiology, neurology, outpatient clinics, dental practices, and veterinary settings
- Anaesthesia carts: used for medical assistance in emergency departments and operating theatres
- Dressing trolleys: mobile units for routine use in hospitals and health centres
- Emergency carts: mobile units for use in inpatient wards
All of the above cart types can be found on our website.
How to clean a dressing trolley properly
- Take the trolley to the area where it is regularly cleaned
- Wash your hands with an antiseptic soap
- Put on gloves and remove the waste bag
- Remove the instruments from the upper section of the trolley
- Proceed to clean the shelves and sides with gauze pads and the appropriate disinfectant
- Dry the trolley thoroughly
- Finally, remove your gloves