Managing Device Charging in Healthcare Facilities: Challenges and Solutions
Here are some numbers for you:
The average hospital has two to four major wings.
These wings are divided into five areas of practice, namely medical-surgical areas, ICUs, maternity care sections, behavioral and mental health units, and, in some cases, senior care.
These areas can account for the total standard hospital capacity of 129 beds.
What does that mean for you? With numerous areas requiring electronics, your devices will likely be in high numbers and in multiple places. For this reason, you’ll need charging solutions that can meet the needs of hospital device management and help your health teams perform at their best.
Keep reading to learn more about the challenges in healthcare device charging and what solutions are available.
Common Challenges in Healthcare Device Charging
Your hospital is a fast-paced, high-demand environment where you can’t afford any downtime. But with so many devices moving between departments and constantly in use, managing device charging in healthcare facilities comes with its fair share of obstacles.
These challenges go beyond simply finding an outlet. Left unchecked, what starts as an inconvenience can later affect workflows, clinical safety, and even patient care.
Inconsistent Access to Charging Infrastructure
Each wing of a hospital is designed for specific medical functions, which means devices move with staff from one zone to another. From tablets used in patient check-ins to barcode scanners for medication administration, charging needs vary widely. Unfortunately, the more devices you have in these areas, the less likely your charging infrastructure will be able to keep up.
Charging cords can be misplaced or broken. Meanwhile, wall outlets are often in short supply.
These issues lead to bottlenecks as your staff compete for limited charging options or scramble to locate backup devices.
Device Downtime and Workflow Disruptions
One of the most significant challenges in healthcare device charging is device downtime.
A device that runs out of battery during a patient round or while updating electronic health records can disrupt workflows and create delays. For your clinicians, this could mean reduced time with patients or missed steps in documentation, which can be catastrophic down the line.
Even short interruptions in device availability can impact the quality of care and staff efficiency. This is why dependable charging infrastructure is a necessity for any healthcare institution.
Infection Control Concerns and Clutter
Let’s also not forget how cross-area migration becomes a health hazard waiting to happen. With more devices going to and from your areas, there’s a higher chance of cross-contamination, which is bad news for areas where sterility is a must (like the ICU or rooms of immunocompromised patients).
Limited charging solution availability adds to the risks. Charging stations that occupy shared counters or create cord clusters can be disruptive for cleaning protocols and increase the potential for cross-contamination. For infection control teams, this setup presents more health risks for both your team and patients.
Electrical and Fire Safety Compliance Problems
Limited charging solutions are also potential fire hazards. With too many devices hooked onto extension cords, there’s a high probability of overloaded circuits which can lead to fires. This is particularly a problem in areas where handhelds, tablets, and iPads need to be available around the clock.
Smart Charging Solutions for Healthcare Device Management and Charging
Luckily, there’s some good news.
As you’re reading this, smart and cutting-edge solutions for healthcare device charging are already available.
These solutions for device charging in healthcare facilities allow your health teams to maintain readiness, reduce clutter, and charge multiple devices simultaneously while staying compliant and organized.
Charging Carts and Lockers
Some effective options for your healthcare device management are our mobile charging carts or lockers. These solutions support high-volume charging because they can accommodate dozens of devices at once. They can also be stationed near your patient areas, nurse stations, or central supply rooms.
Lockable compartments offer security when charging is unsupervised, and carts with wheels add flexibility to move charging stations where they’re most needed.
Some models like our CORE X Cart even come equipped with USB-C or AC power configurations to match various device types.
Charging Trays
Do some of your clinical areas have limited space? If so, you can’t go wrong with charging trays like the Purecharge Pro Tray.
Charging trays are a smart space-saving option for any hospital area. These trays provide clearly defined slots that keep devices organized while they charge, making them ideal for areas like exam rooms, reception counters, or even mobile stations on wheels.
These trays are ideal for reducing surface clutter and support infection control efforts by making it easier for staff to manage shared devices without needing extra furniture or power outlets.
Smart Hubs
When you want high-efficiency charging in a compact footprint, there are other options besides charging trays. One of the best choices is a smart hub like our PowerSync Pro Smart Hub.
Designed for Apple devices, our hubs can charge multiple iPads and iPhones at once while providing status indicators for power levels, so your health teams know which devices are ready to go. The hub’s compatibility with Apple devices means you won’t have to spend on added charging solutions to accommodate Apple’s proprietary charging hardware.
Bring Clarity and Control to Your Healthcare Device Charging and Management
Managing device charging in healthcare facilities doesn’t have to be complex. With the right solutions, you can help your healthcare teams stay organized, reduce downtime, and maintain compliance while supporting better patient outcomes.
Whether you need mobile carts or compact options like charging trays and smart hubs, we at Bretford are here to support your healthcare institution’s device charging and management needs.
Contact us today for a free quote and supercharge your hospital’s device management.
