Selecting computer and device mounts (Part 4)

Match caregiver needs to hardware functionality

Every department will have unique mounting equipment needs which should be carefully addressed by the solutions provider. Multiple mount options and custom configurations should be considered to determine the best fit for staff. Even so, there are universal traits that every solution should incorporate.
Mounting solutions should be:

• Unobtrusive and flexible, allowing for a natural transition between face-to-face contact and technology.
• Readily accessible to staff.
• Easy to clean to prevent nosocomial infection.
• Able to boost efficiencies by enhancing workflow and protecting against MSDs.
• Simple to adjust and effortless to use so caregivers can focus on the patient, rather than struggle with the equipment.

Look for these qualities when selecting mounting solutions:
Solutions that are durable
The healthcare environment is highly demanding. Computer and medical device mounts must withstand constant use and frequent adjusting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They also need to hold up to rigorous cleaning.
Look for:

• Durable, powder-coated finishes that resist the wear and tear of heavy use and daily disinfecting.
• Strong yet lightweight billet aluminum that delivers unmatched 24×7 performance.
• Heavy-duty internal and external components that provide years of uninterrupted service.
• Rotational stops that protect computer equipment and the facility from damage.
• Built-by-hand production to ensure unsurpassed quality, workmanship and dependability.
• Internal cable management systems that protect wires, simplify cleaning and create a neater appearance.

Solutions that support efficiency of care
Positioning the caregiver, patient and computer in close proximity has proven to be the most effective way to document. The caregiver should be able to easily make eye contact with the patient. Immediate accessibility of real-time information at the point of care can also reduce errors and create opportunities to involve patients in their care. To achieve this, select mounting solutions that maximize adjustability.
Look for:

• Mounting arms that reach well into the room and stow compactly when not in use.
• Mounts that allow independent rotation of the monitor to facilitate patient viewing.
• Mounts that provide maximum rotation, tilt and height adjustment of all components.
• Ease of use is key—caregivers will be more likely to use solutions that are intuitive and easy to adjust.

Solutions with correct ergonomics that protect staff from repetitive stress injuries
Caregivers experience MSDs at a rate that is seven times the national average for all occupations. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, work-related MSDs are a leading cause of lost workday injury and illness. Choosing mounting solutions that fit the task to the caregiver can help reduce injuries while demonstrating that physical health is a top priority for the organization.
Look for:
Mounting arms that adjust to fit the caregiver

• Fully adjustable mounts allow caregivers of different heights to work in comfort—for example, a mount that adjusts easily and quickly for a 5’ nurse and a 6’6” doctor.
• Sit-stand workstations enhance employee health, reduce fatigue and eliminate “sitting disease.”
• Sit-stand workstations offer an all-in-one solution for actions that require standing (such as quick patient checks) and those that require sitting (such as charting).

Monitors that adjust up and down, forward and back, tilt and rotate

• Properly positioned monitors reduce neck and back strain.
• Monitors that tilt and swivel reduce screen glare, make viewing easier and reduce neck and eye strain.
• Monitors that rotate into portrait position make it easier to view vertical data and x-rays.

Adjustable keyboards that move up and down, and provide positive, negative, neutral tilt

• Keyboards that adjust easily for individual ergonomic comfort relieve hand and arm strain.
• Keyboards that quickly and securely lock into position eliminate time wasted on adjusting imprecise equipment.
• Independent adjustability of components is vital to support the ergonomic needs of each individual caregiver.

Solutions that save space
Equipment that requires a small footprint and stows away compactly frees up desks and countertops, creates more space for visitors in patient rooms, and gives caregivers more area to work with patients.
Look for:

• Slim wall track mounts that hold complete workstations, including the monitor (or dual monitors), keyboard, medical devices and CPUs. They provide long reach into the room yet stow compactly.
• Ceiling mounts that hold monitors and can be pulled down easily from the ceiling and pushed up and out of the way when not needed.
• Undercabinet and in-cabinet mounts that turn unused space into productive space.
• Wall mounts that use only a few inches of space yet can hold a monitor (or dual monitors), keyboard and service tray.
• Desk mounts that sit atop desk pucks, freeing up the entire desk or countertop.
• Pole mounts that clamp to a pole, requiring no desk space.

Strategically designed, space-saving mounts improve efficiency and contribute to staff satisfaction by maximizing the area caregivers have to do their work. Mounts also minimize visual clutter—enhancing patient perceptions about the quality of care they receive.
Solutions that are visually attractive
Aesthetics are an important aspect of a facility’s appeal to patients, and that same design sensibility needs to be kept in mind when selecting a device mounting system. Visual harmony reinforces a perception of organization and cleanliness, factors that affect both patient and caregiver satisfaction. As noted in a study on patient and staff satisfaction in pediatric facilities,”Facility aesthetics and work environment were found to be associated with higher satisfaction and better relationships among nurses.”
Look for:

• Streamlined design and complementing colors to reduce visual clutter.
• A range of color options to coordinate mounting solutions with existing technology and facility décor.
• Mounting arms that keep cables neat and tidy to promote a sense of orderliness.

Choosing an aesthetically pleasing mounting solution enhances the facility while allowing the technology to maintain a low visual profile.
Selecting the right mounting solution takes time and research. It’s not a decision to be made overnight. Making the wrong choice can drive up costs through expensive reinstalls, service interruptions and low staff adoption. Solutions should be matched to long-term objectives and goals, not just in terms of operational and safety needs—such as improved ergonomics—but also in terms of service delivery.
Working with a solutions provider shouldn’t end with the purchase of equipment; it should be a partnership over the lifetime of the equipment. A thoughtful approach to the selection process will help ensure the right decision is made the first time in an investment that should support organizational goals and patient care for years to come.

Support sound ergonomics, improve provider performance and enhance patient care by selecting the right mounting solutions for the right locations.