7 of the most used types of surgical equipment

Any medical setting, from a doctor’s surgery to a hospital, gets through an enormous amount of equipment every single day. Some medical supplies can only be used once, generating an even higher supply turnover. Here’s a list of some of the most commonly used surgical equipment in the world.

#1 Stretchers

Easily the most common piece of equipment, stretchers serve an obvious purpose. They aren’t to be underestimated, though. A good stretcher is robust, provides stability, and gives medical staff easy access to the patient. Many of the people coming into hospitals are medical emergencies, so getting them onto the ward fast is crucial.

#2 Patient monitors

These will be familiar to anyone who’s visited a hospital. Patient monitors are connected to the patient and then display vital signs like pulse, body temperature, and oxygen levels on a screen. They make it easy for doctors to monitor their patients and quickly make interventions when necessary.

#3 Sterilizers

In the days before sterilization, patients often succumbed to infections that spread quickly, making even minor surgery incredibly dangerous. Nowadays, sterilization kits ensure that all instruments are clean and free of contamination when they’re used. Sterilization is used on all medical implements, and it’s one of the most important inventions in medical history.

#4 Defibrillators

Cardiac arrest occurs when a patient’s heart stops beating. At that point, responders have only a few minutes to restart the heart before the brain is deprived of oxygen and the patient dies. Defibrillators deliver a jolt of electricity to get the heart beating again. They’re one of the most in-demand items on medical marketplaces like medical-supermarket.com. As such, you’ll find them in many settings outside the hospital. Defibrillators are a common sight in supermarkets, sports stadiums, and more.

#5 EKG/ECG machines

These machines measure the rhythm of the heart via electrical activity. They’re the first port of call when a patient is suspected of having suffered from (or is suffering with) cardiac issues. The machines are quite literally lifesavers and detect even the smallest deviation from a normal heartbeat. From there, doctors can take the required action. Since cardio symptoms are considered one of the most severe medical emergencies, these machines are essential.

#6 Surgical lights

Hospitals carry out intricate operations that require enormous amounts of accuracy. Quality lighting is essential, which is where surgical lights come in. The stark, white light offered by surgical lights is perfect for even the most complex of operations. Since some procedures can take hours, these lights are frequently replaced.

#7 Blankets

They might be the simplest piece of equipment on the list, but that doesn’t make blankets and fluid warmers any less important. Patients lose body heat fast when they’re under anesthesia. If their temperature drops too low, they might even develop dreaded perioperative hypothermia, which is life-threatening and at the very least leads to a long hospital stay. Good quality blankets help to keep a patient’s body temperature normal before and after surgery.