Medication cart drawer liner and method for using same to reduce nosocomial infections

Abstract

In a medication cart apparatus housing a plurality of individual medication bins, the invention provides devices and a method for reducing the risk of nosocomial infection through the use of disposable bin liners. In some applications the bin liners may be color coded for a predetermined use or patient, compartmentalized with dividers, or customized with special labels. The disposable liners may have a tapered form so that multiple liners may be stored in a nested stack to minimize space requirements and to be loaded into a liner dispenser system.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A liner for use in combination with a drawer in a medication storage apparatus comprising: 
 a bottom wall, two side walls, an end wall and a front wall; and    said liner being of a size and configuration to be disposed within and generally conform to the drawer of said medication cart.    
     
     
         2 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein said walls are constructed from a substantially rigid material.  
     
     
         3 . The liner of  claim 2  wherein said material is a bacteriostatic plastic.  
     
     
         4 . The liner of  claim 1  further comprising an identification panel extending from the front wall of the liner.  
     
     
         5 . The liner of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of inwardly extending ribs on the side walls of the liner and one or more dividers adapted to cooperate with the ribs to subdivide the interior of the drawer.  
     
     
         6 . The liner of  claim 5  wherein the ribs are aligned with vertical rails associated with the drawer.  
     
     
         7 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein the medication cart drawer has at least a partially open bottom panel.  
     
     
         8 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein a sealable cover is disposed over the open top of the liner.  
     
     
         9 . The liner of  claim 8  wherein the cover is joined to a wall of the liner by a hinge that permits the cover to be opened and the closed.  
     
     
         10 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein the bottom wall is provided with a plurality of protuberances to cushion contents placed within the liner.  
     
     
         11 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein the bottom wall is provided with one or more recesses having a size and configuration to receive medication packages.  
     
     
         12 . A method for reducing nosocomial infection in a hospital or other medical patient care facility comprising: 
 providing a medication storage device having one or more drawers for the storage and transporting of medications and/or medical treatment equipment;    positioning a liner in said one or more drawers of said cart;    placing medications and/or medical treatment equipment for an individual patient in a predesignated drawer of said cart having said liner disposed therein;    transporting said medications and/or equipment to said individual patient; and    periodically removing said liner and positioning a new liner within said drawer.