In hospitals around the world, high-quality medical grade computers have a long-standing reputation as the gold standard for point of care applications. For hospital IT departments who need to procure medical grade computers for their facilities, here is a checklist of the top features to look for.
Superior Reliability
Not all medical grade computers offer the same level of reliability. Point of care staff must be able to rely on their workstation to operate without interruption during their entire shift. In certain areas of the hospital (ER, OR, ICU), it is critical that there is no disruption whatsoever in monitoring, display, analysis and storage of patients’ vitals and other information. The Datalux IPIX is designed and constructed to perform under heavy use and continuous demand in a medical environment. An industrial grade system board, strengthened glass face and metal back plate, among other features, give the IPIX durability in demanding applications.
Internal Battery Option
While medical grade computers in general use less power than their consumer grade counterparts, the IPIX from Datalux also has an internal battery option which extends its run time on carts and also allows it to stay operational during unexpected power interruptions, disasters and other situations. This internal battery also gives clinicians in the high-stakes ER and OR environments a higher level of physical mobility, because they are not limited to the computer’s power cable distance.
Easy to Clean and Disinfect
Look for a medical grade computer that has a sealed face and no vents. Easily wipeable surfaces and other features keep both clinicians and patients safe from exposure to (and the spread of) infectious materials.
Antimicrobial Housing
Microbes can live longer on plastic surfaces, so it’s important to choose a medical grade computer with antimicrobial surfaces, which offer the highest resistance to microbes. Antimicrobial housing prevents protects support staff and clinicians who are touching the computer from picking up and spreading germs. With incentives to decrease patient readmissions and to reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infections like MRSA and C. diff, healthcare facilities have placed an increasing importance on deploying medical grade computers with antimicrobial housing in all areas of patient care.
Fanless Operation
A fanless medical grade computer reduces noise in patient care areas, allowing caregivers to focus on their charting, patient assessments, monitoring and more. The lack of a fan and vents eliminates the possibility of bacterial contamination inside the unit, so the medical grade computer can be used even in the most sterile patient care settings. Fanless computers also have greater reliability because there is no external debris that would otherwise circulate inside the computer that can adversely affect performance. The absence of fans also means fewer moving parts in the computer that can fail.
Meets IEC 60601 Standards
Computers used in healthcare settings need to meet certain standards, the most important of which is IEC 60601-1 (EN 60601-1). This set of technical standards ensures patient safety and the effectiveness of medical electrical equipment. One prominent aspect of compliance with IEC 60601-1 concerns the power supply. Most power supplies aren’t adequate to meet the requirements for leakage current and dialectical strength. Datalux computers incorporate an IEC 60601-1 grade power supply that defends against electrical shock, mechanical impact, radiation, ignition from flammable anesthetics, fire, and excessive electrical energy output.
Manufacturer with Proven Experience in Hospitals
Computers are such an essential part of patient care and healthcare administration. It’s imperative that hospital IT directors select a manufacturer that is extremely experienced in providing medical grade computing solutions for a variety of healthcare applications. Datalux has been building medical grade computer systems since 1990, with thousands of IPIX computers installed in hospitals and clinics across the United States. Datalux understands what makes the best healthcare computer for mobile cart makers and their customers and works with the world’s leading cart manufacturers.
Strong Warranty and Support
Most healthcare IT departments are understaffed and very busy. The last thing they need is to be dealing with extra tech support issues and expired warranties. Datalux offers a standard 3-year and optional 5-year warranty, both with factory support.
Not all medical grade computers are created equal and there are certain features that make some better than others. Choose a medical grade computing solution that offers more reliability, better infection control, quieter fanless operation, a stronger warranty, factory support, and stringent regulatory compliance. With proven experience in providing hospitals with the best medical grade computers for their needs, Datalux works with hospital IT departments to ensure a smooth deployment and the best return on their investment.