The Different Types of Medical Exam Tables Explained | Patient experience matters. Studies have shown that patients are five times more likely to go back to a clinic where they had a good experience.
Factors that go into creating a memorable visit include caring and well-trained staff, clean facilities, and short waiting times. And, of course, having the correct equipment that’s up-to-date. This consists of the exam tables the patient sits on, lies on, or is operated on.
Are you in the market for new medical exam tables for your clinic or hospital? Read on for our overview of the most common.
Procedure Tables
Procedure tables are suitable for clinics or hospitals that often perform minor operations, such as stitching wounds or removing moles.
These tables are actually more like chairs, and they prioritize both patient comfort and the ability of a physician to do their job. The physician or practitioner can adjust them to their needs, with some tables offering 360-degree rotation. Some tables can even be pre-programmed to move into a specific position at the touch of a button!
These tables feature storage areas for often used medical supplies and equipment. They’re typically upholstered in antimicrobial vinyl, which is sterile and straightforward to wipe clean between patients.
Treatment Tables
You’ll find treatment tables in all kinds of medical facilities, from massage centers and physiotherapy clinics to school nurse rooms and hospital recovery wards. You probably sat on a treatment table when you last paid a visit to your chiropractor or sports massage therapist.
These simple, cost-effective tables come in padded or non-padded versions. They almost always feature storage compartments or drawers and may or may not be fitted with lockable wheels. They sometimes have manually adjustable height and incline settings.
Manual Exam Tables
Like treatment tables, manual exam tables are among the more straightforward types of exam tables. They are most often used in clinics and hospitals for patient check-ups and examinations. They allow a person to lie down comfortably while being examined.
In most cases, they’re manually adjustable between lie-flat and upright seating and typically feature a footrest, headrest, and steps. They also have lots of built-in storage, including drawers and cabinets.
Manual exam tables are especially popular in smaller clinics where you need multi-functional furniture.
Power Exam Tables
Power exam tables take all the benefits of a treatment or manual exam table and elevate them. Literally!
Simply press a button, and you can change the height, angle, or position of various parts of the table. You can also lift or drop the entire table to make it easier for a patient to get onto the table or for the doctor to examine a patient quickly.
These functions reduce the energy needed to conduct an examination. They make a practice more efficient and offer better patient comfort.
Exam Tables for Every Need
Different types of exam tables offer an array of benefits to suit individual clinics and patient needs. Some facilities dealing with simple medical issues might just need a collection of various types of treatment tables. However, larger hospitals will invest in sophisticated equipment like procedure and operating tables.
For more advice on kitting out your clinic, read the other articles on our blog.