System and method for providing disposable drawer inserts for medical and surgical carts

Abstract

A disposable drawer insert system and method is disclosed for refilling components in medical and surgical carts. The disposable drawer insert system and method includes at least one disposable drawer insert adapted for insertion into one or more drawers in the carts and a predetermined set of components resident in the at least one disposable drawer insert. The predetermined set of components is associated with medical and surgical procedures. The at least one disposable drawer insert containing the predetermined set of components is packaged and delivered as a single unit for insertion into the carts.

1 . A disposable drawer insert system for refilling components in a medical or surgical cart, the disposable drawer insert system comprising:
 at least one disposable drawer insert adapted for insertion into one or more drawers in the cart; and   a predetermined set of components resident in the at least one disposable drawer insert, the predetermined set of components associated with a medical or surgical procedure;   wherein the at least one disposable drawer insert containing the predetermined set of components is packaged and delivered as a single unit for insertion into the carts.   
   
   
       2 . The disposable drawer insert system of  claim 1 , wherein the cart is an anesthesia cart, a pain and block cart, an endoscopy cart, an isolation cart, a trauma emergency room cart, a trauma operating room cart, an ambulatory surgery cart, a labor and delivery cart, an intensive care unit cart, a catheter lab cart, a latex-free cart, a casting supply cart, an orthopedic cart, a neurology cart, a cystoscopy cart, a Broselow pediatric crash cart and an adult crash cart. 
   
   
       3 . The disposable drawer insert system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one disposable drawer insert includes segmented compartments for housing the predetermined set of components. 
   
   
       4 . The disposable drawer insert system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one disposable drawer insert contains individually sterile packaged components. 
   
   
       5 . The disposable drawer insert system of  claim 1 , where the predetermined set of components includes specific quantities and types of components which are customized for an individual customer. 
   
   
       6 . The disposable drawer insert system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one label for identifying the at least one disposable drawer insert for insertion into the cart. 
   
   
       7 . The disposable drawer insert system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one disposable drawer insert comprises pressed corrugate board. 
   
   
       8 . The disposable drawer insert system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one disposable drawer insert is sized to fit within the one or more drawers in the cart. 
   
   
       9 . A method for providing a disposable drawer insert system for refilling a medical or surgical cart, the disposable drawer insert system including a plurality of disposable drawer inserts adapted for insertion into the medical or surgical cart, each disposable drawer insert containing a predetermined set of components associated with a medical or surgical procedure, the method comprising the acts of:
 (a) inserting a first disposable drawer insert into the cart;   (b) after a predetermined quantity of the components has been depleted, removing the first disposable drawer insert from the cart;   (c) inserting a second disposable drawer insert into the cart; and   (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) above after the predetermined quantity of components has been depleted.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising cleaning the cart. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising documenting information relating to usage of the components. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the information includes the quantities and types of any unused components. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising modifying the predetermined set of components based on the documented information. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for storing items associated with a medical or surgical procedure, the apparatus comprising:
 a mobile cart;   at least one disposable drawer insert adapted for insertion into the mobile cart; and   a plurality of components for use during the medical or surgical procedure, the plurality of components resident in the at least one disposable drawer.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the mobile cart is adapted to receive the at least one disposable drawer insert with little or no alteration of the mobile cart. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the mobile cart is an anesthesia cart, a pain and block cart, an endoscopy cart, an isolation cart, a trauma emergency room cart and a trauma operating room cart, an ambulatory surgery cart, a labor and delivery cart, an intensive care unit cart, a catheter lab cart, a latex-free cart, a casting supply cart, an orthopedic cart, a neurology cart, a cystoscopy cart, a Broselow pediatric crash cart and an adult crash cart. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one disposable drawer insert and the plurality of components are packaged as a single unit for insertion into the mobile cart. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the mobile cart is adapted to receive different sizes of the at least one disposable drawer insert. 
   
   
       19 . A method for reducing cross-contamination of a medical or surgical cart, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing a plurality of disposable drawer inserts adapted for insertion into the cart, the plurality of disposable drawer inserts housing a predetermined set of medical or surgical components;   inserting a first one of the plurality of disposable drawer inserts into the cart;   allowing a predetermined quantity of the components to be depleted;   removing the first one of the plurality of disposable drawer inserts after the predetermined quantity of components has been depleted;   replacing the first one of the plurality of disposable drawer inserts with a replacement drawer insert having medical or surgical components housed therein.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the predetermined set of medical or surgical components are sterilized or disinfected prior to insertion into the cart. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising cleaning the cart before the insertion of the first one of the plurality of disposable drawer inserts. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising cleaning the cart before the replacement of the first one of the plurality of disposable drawer inserts with the replacement drawer insert. 
   
   
       23 . A method for controlling inventory contained in a medical or surgical cart, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing a disposable drawer insert adapted for insertion into the cart, the disposable drawer insert having segmented compartments;   housing a predetermined set of components within the segmented compartments; and   providing a replacement disposable drawer insert after a predetermined quantity of the components of the disposable drawer insert has been depleted.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising collecting any unused components for use in other disposable drawer inserts and issuing a credit for any unused components. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising positioning the most-used components in a front portion of the disposable drawer insert and positioning the less-used components in a back portion of the disposable drawer insert.