Mobile computing workstations are an emerging market, thanks to the adoption of wireless technology in hospitals. Mobile computing workstations continue to have several advantages over PCs in every room – an expensive option – and PDAs and Tablet PCs, which have smaller interfaces and are more prone to misplacement or theft.

According to Dave Pucklavage, RN, and senior clinical analyst for Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Hospital's Wireless/CPOE department, mobile computing workstations offer portability and continuous connectivity. More importantly, the information is presented in real time. "In a critical situation, patient data and results change by the minute," said Pucklavage. Laptop carts fulfill nurse needs for a portable larger device with a full keyboard and physician need for lightweight device with long battery life.

CARSTENS

WALKaroo III
Features: Carstens WALKaroo III, Mobile PC Cart allows staff to record patient information as they visit each room. Notebook is kept secure under large, lockable, work surface. Pneumatic foot ring adjusts height from 30 1/2" to 40 1/2". Ergonomically designed, extremely stable unit has an easy walk-behind contoured base. Premium quality locking casters roll smoothly and quietly. Utility basket and power pack options are available.
Dimensions: 24 3/4"D x 42 1/2"H x 23 1/2"W, 32 1/2"D with keyboard fully extended.
Battery configuration: Call for options.
Accommodates other systems or equipment: Call for more information.
Security and safety measures of workstation: Dual-locking work surface, rounded corners on work surface, side handles for maneuverability, and easy walk-behind contoured base.

DATALUX CORP.
IPIX 700
Features: The DATALUX IPIX 700 mobile computing workstation is solidly engineered and ergonomically designed for healthcare point-of-care applications. It has an integrated 17" LCD Monitor, low power network computer using a Mobile Intel Pentium-M processor, compact cart with battery pack, adjustable keyboard tray and comfortable work surface area, extended battery life, dimmable monitor screen to protect confidential information, lightweight, easy to maneuver in tight spaces, and an adjustable height.
Dimensions: 15.5" x 13.5" x 2.4"
Battery configuration: Battery for the IPIX 700 uses Saphion Lithium-ion technology for increased safety and environmental friendliness. It weighs less than four pounds.
Accommodates other systems or equipment: The IPIX 700 mobile cart can accommodate additional equipment and devices such as barcode readers.
Security and safety measures of workstation: IPIX 700 is a mounted integrated computer, permanently attached to the workstation with tamper-proof screws. The IPIX 700 can accommodate other security hardware such as fingerprint-reading devices. For added security, devices such as CD ROM and floppy drives are connected externally through available USB ports.

ERGOTRON INC.
HD-2 Series Cart
Features: Single-motion adjustment to optimize screen viewing, 15-inch vertical height range for sit-to-stand computing, stable 24-inch base offers minimal footprint, durable five-inch casters with locking mechanism, cable management kit, lifetime limited warranty on cart and five-year warranty on arm, and flat panel, laptop and tablet PC versions.
Dimensions: 24" diameter footprint (base).
Battery configuration: 34 Ah, 48 Ah, and 100 Ah power systems with maintenance-free, spill-proof, and leak-proof construction. Battery life of 700+ complete charge-discharge cycles; useful life is equal to 3-plus years. Four wall-style grounded outlets (120V @ 60Hz) provide hardware selection flexibility. Three-step charger provides efficient, silent, and safe charging. Stays connected to battery at all times. Accurate digital display tracks remaining run-time.
Accommodates other systems or equipment: The HD-2 Series can be customized to accommodate other medical equipment.
Security and safety measures of workstation: The design and construction ensures that the cart does not tip when fully loaded with equipment, yet it is easy to maneuver in space-constrained areas.

FLO HEALTHCARE
Flo 1700 mobile workstation
Features: Featuring Wyse, Dell, IBM, HP, SlimPro, and MobilePro technology solutions; Intel Pentium M processor; 512 MB RAM; upgradable 30GB and larger hard-drive capacity; 15" or 17" TFT color display; and Windows XP Pro. Ports include USB, serial, parallel, RJ-45, and PCMCIA. The mobile workstation has a large, adjustable-height work surface for use sitting or standing, a small 17" x 17" cart base for easy maneuverability.
Dimensions: Work-surface height is adjustable from 31" to 40", work-surface dimensions are 21" x 15", and base dimensions are 17" x 17".
Battery configuration: Nickel Metal Hydride or Sealed Lead Acid battery.
Accommodates other systems or equipment: The Flo 1700 workstation can accommodate other systems or medical equipment.

JACO INC.
J-Mobility Computer Carts
Features: Accommodates virtually any computer hardware. Features include: height-adjustable platform, anti-theft device to securely mount computers, smooth and effortless movement with lockable casters, rugged construction to cope with wear and tear, add-on options for even greater flexibility, shipped fully assembled.
Dimensions: Work surface is 18"x 18" with an adjustable height of 32" to 42". Wheel Base (caster post to caster post) is 16" x 19". Weight of the base model cart is 53 pounds.
Battery configuration: The InfoLogix PowerPak Battery, mounted to the base of the cart, provides 120 VAC through 3 AC Outlets with UL6061 Rating. Security and safety measures of workstation: All J-Mobility Carts sold by InfoLogix must pass UL Tip and Tilt Test, as configured, prior to shipping from the factory.

NA WARE
LP Desktop, LP Laptop
Features: NA WARE carts are easy to use and highly maneuverable in tight spaces. The tabletop can be adjusted up/down with one hand, after which it stays fixed in place. The cart offers fatigue-reducing features such as ample workspace, retractable keyboard, and a large monitor. The carts integrate corporate-standard computing and wireless hardware to make support easy and familiar. NA WARE battery solutions are designed to run for at least a full shift.
Dimensions: Base (19-1/2" x 22-1/2"); Height: 43-1/2" Max, 28" Min.
Battery configuration: Options of sealed lead acid batteries (26 AH, 33 AH, 42 AH) and swappable, lightweight Lithium Ion and Nickel Metal Hydride batteries.

PRYOR PRODUCTS
Complete line mobile computer stands
Features: Pryor Products mobile computer stands, IV stands and rolling instrument stands are installed in thousands of hospitals and clinics worldwide. Our broad line of computer stands allows you to select the best configuration for attaching any laptop, pen tablet or thin client PC. Nurses appreciate the compact, functional designs of the computer stands and how easily they move in tight spaces. Dimensions: The stands all have 22" diameter five-leg bases and a pedestal-style central pole. The height of each stand can be adjusted so any nurse user can comfortably use it while sitting or standing.
Battery configuration: While we have broad experience with many different battery systems, we do not sell them with our stands. We are happy to direct you to known battery vendors, based on the computer components you are selecting to mount on our stands. We have a variety of battery mounting designs for our stands.
Security and safety measures of workstation? We provide five-leg computer stands, as four-leg stands tend to be less safe. We perform stability testing on every stand. Mounting components are designed to reduce theft and damage.

RIOUX VISION
Wireless Mobile Workstations
Features: Rioux Vision has developed a variety of wireless mobile workstations – with the needs of the healthcare industry specifically in mind – to provide an entirely new level of patient care. Our goal at Rioux Vision is to maximize the time efficiency of healthcare providers so that they can better dedicate their focus to those that matter most – their patients.
Dimensions: 16" to 22" base
Battery configuration: Sealed lead acid (36 amp hours) with intelligent discharge/charge; 120VAC (2 amp max) input; 12VDC (5 amp max) output
Security and safety measures of workstation: UL 60601-1(2601-1); CSA; FCC Class A, Part 15.

STINGER INDUSTRIES
UL 60601-1 Mobile Computer Cart
Features: Levitator Feather Touch positioning system, 160-square-inch slide-out work surface, right- and left-hand drawers for storage or mouse use, Plexiglas screen protection, simple line-of-sight screen adjustment, full-size keyboard platform, durable compact 22-inch base, lightweight aluminum construction, five-inch ball-bearing hospital-grade casters for use on tile and carpet, swivel and tracking casters available, optional accessories for customization, and standard Hospital-Grade X-Cell power system.
Dimensions: The height of the workstation is adjustable from 31 inches to 58 inches. The base of the workstation is 22" x 22" and 9" from the wheel to the top of the base. The head assembly is 23" wide, 18.5" high and 15" deep.
Battery configuration: Hospital-Grade X-Cell power system and offers 26, 36, 52, and 72 AH capacity options. The dual output 12 Volt DC measures up to 20 V for DC models. Depending upon AH capacity, 20 percent to 90 percent charge time is 90 to 180 minutes. The dual function alarm indicates charging error or low DC input voltage of 10.5 V or less.
Security and safety measures of workstation: This workstation is UL 60601-1 classified, which ensures it meets safety requirements as medical electrical equipment for use in areas where patients are treated. All components of this cart, including the Hospital-Grade power system, have been through rigorous testing by the Underwriters Laboratory and exceed these demanding standards.