4 Things to Consider When Buying Medical Casters
There are many different types of industrial casters available. However, when you're looking for casters for use in the medical field, there are certain things to consider. Here are four things that you need to think about before purchasing your next set of medical casters.
High-Temperature Resistance
You can buy specialized autoclave casters which are specifically designed to withstand the high temperatures that come with steam sterilization. These casters make it easy to wheel your autoclave machine to wherever it needs to go. Autoclave casters are generally made from 304 stainless steel, and feature dual ball swivel as well as plastic thread guards for added protection.
Brakes
Whether or not you need casters with brakes depends on the application. For instance, IV casters, which come in a wide variety of sizes, are also available with or without brakes; as often IV stands need to be able to move along with a patient. However, there are also times when an IV stand may need to be locked down into place.
Swivel
There are myriad items of medical equipment that need to move quickly, the instant they are needed. Often this equipment needs to be able to easily change direction when being moved down a corridor, or in and out of procedure rooms. When choosing medical casters, make sure they have great swivel, such as that found in non-scuffing, razor casters.
Materials
Medical casters are commonly made out of several different materials including stainless steel, chrome, nylon, and neoprene. Which one you need will depend on several factors. These factors include whether or not the wheels are non-marking, anti-static, if they’re resistant to high temperature, or can carry heavy loads without flattening.
Additionally, wheel chair casters are available that make it possible to replace existing casters instead of purchasing an entirely new chair. Keep these considerations in mind and you're sure to choose a medical caster that's right for the job.