How Delivery Carts Support Clinical Workflow in Labor & Delivery Units
The Role of Delivery Carts in Labor and Delivery Workflow
Labor and delivery departments demand equipment that supports readiness, access, and adaptability. Delivery carts play a central role in organizing supplies, staging delivery packs, and creating a functional workspace during active labor and delivery. When designed thoughtfully, a delivery cart can reduce unnecessary movement, improve access from multiple sides, and support caregivers during both routine and high-acuity moments.
Supporting Access from Multiple Sides of the Cart
Delivery carts are often positioned in dynamic spaces where multiple clinicians may be working simultaneously. Access from only one side can create congestion or delay, particularly when carts are placed near beds, walls, or doorways. Designs that allow supplies to be accessed from either side help maintain workflow continuity without requiring caregivers to reposition equipment during critical tasks. One design approach that supports this need is the use of a pass-through drawer. A pass-through drawer can be opened from either the front or the rear of the cart, allowing clinicians to retrieve supplies regardless of how the cart is oriented in the room. This dual-sided access supports teamwork and reduces bottlenecks when multiple staff members need access to the same cart at the same time.
Flexible Storage Configurations for Delivery Supplies
MedViron’s Guardian Delivery Carts also offer flexible storage configurations. Our carts incorporate a combination of a pass-through drawer and a large storage drawer to accommodate delivery packs and bulk supplies. Also available is a pass-through drawer with cabinet-style doors to support larger items or customized storage layouts. Allowing the pass-through drawer to be positioned either above or below cabinet doors gives facilities the ability to align cart configuration with their preferred workflow patterns.
Expandable Work Surfaces
Work surface flexibility is another important consideration. During labor and delivery, the amount of workspace required can change quickly. A delivery cart with a fixed top surface supplemented by drop-leaf extensions on either side allows caregivers to expand the usable work area only when needed. When raised, the drop leaves provide additional space for instruments, documentation, or supplies; when lowered, they help keep the cart compact and unobtrusive. This is similar to medViron overbed tables that support bedside workflow.
Material Selection for Durability and Daily Use
Material selection plays a significant role in how delivery carts perform over time. High-contact surfaces such as the top, drop-leaf extensions, drawer fronts, and base panels benefit from durable KYDEX thermoplastic that withstands repeated use and routine cleaning. Structural components such as cabinet sides, backs, and drawer boxes rely on rigid panel construction to maintain alignment and stability throughout years of service.
MedViron applies these same material standards—melamine for structural stability and KYDEX thermoplastic for high-contact surfaces—across much of its product line to ensure consistent performance and long-term durability.
Construction Details That Support Long-Term Reliability
Designing Delivery Carts Around Real Clinical Use
Taken together, these design considerations reflect how delivery carts support clinical workflow rather than simply storing supplies. Dual-sided access through pass-through drawers, expandable work surfaces via drop-leaf design, and durable material selection all contribute to carts that adapt to the realities of labor and delivery environments.
As facilities evaluate delivery carts for labor and delivery units, focusing on access, flexibility, and construction quality helps ensure the cart supports care rather than complicating it. Delivery carts designed around real clinical movement and use patterns provide dependable performance in environments where efficiency and readiness matter most.
