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Instrument tables provide a convenient place for instruments, clinical materials and medicines. They are used in consulting rooms, treatment rooms, operating theatres, trauma departments and other healthcare settings. Models can differ considerably in size and function, so the choice starts with the work the table will support.
Construction and intended use
The original overview divides this furniture into three categories:
- Tables for treatment and procedure rooms.
- Instrument tables for operating theatres and surgery.
- General-purpose tables.
These categories serve different needs, and one model may not be a suitable replacement for another. For a procedure room, ease of moving the table is an important consideration; many of the models described are mobile and manoeuvrable. Surgical instrument tables may offer more adjustments, including tabletop height, and additional holders.
The source also mentions a lower tray for used instruments. This describes a design option, rather than an instruction to put contaminated instruments beneath clean supplies. Used instruments need to be segregated from clean and sterile materials within the facility’s handling and reprocessing arrangements. CDC guidance on sterilising practices describes the separation of decontamination from clean preparation.
The general-purpose models in the article have a simpler structure: a plain tabletop, with or without raised edges, and lower shelves. Their height is fixed. Some are stationary, while others are fitted with castors.
Materials
The overview lists three main material groups:
- Stainless steel.
- Powder-coated steel.
- Polymers.
It describes surgical instrument tables as usually made entirely from stainless steel, with stainless steel also commonly used for procedure-room models. General-purpose tables may combine a powder-coated steel frame with a tabletop made from stainless steel, glass, polymers or an acrylic-resin-based material.
The original article refers to sterilising surgical tables in specialist equipment. The appropriate process depends on the actual item: a table surface is normally cleaned and disinfected, while any removable tray or component can only be sterilised by a method permitted in its manufacturer’s instructions. Stainless steel alone does not establish that a complete table, its castors or its mechanisms can be autoclaved. CDC recommendations distinguish the processing of critical instruments from the cleaning and disinfection of noncritical surfaces.
Castor arrangements can vary independently of the table’s category. The source describes wheels with a special coating, often rubber, and protective bumpers to cushion contact. Such designs can help reduce noise and marking of floors, although their performance depends on the castors and the floor surface.
Other features to compare
The table’s overall dimensions and the size of its tabletop should suit the intended procedures and available room space. The number of lower shelves, extra sections and compartments also matters. These additions are useful for some tasks, but they are not necessary for every table.
Some manufacturers offer a waste compartment at the side. This may be a convenient option where it fits the facility’s waste-handling arrangements and the table’s intended use.
Original source: Zaplata — Choosing a medical instrument table.
