Medical shipping containers were an essential resource during the COVID-19 pandemic. Containers provided overwhelmed hospitals, clinics and other medical practices with extra space and storage during a crucial time. While medical shipping containers have always been vital to the industry, the pandemic showed how beneficial they can be. Not only were shipping containers used to store important supplies, they were also used to accommodate the extremely high number of patient admissions and provide extra space for hospital staff.
Hospitals and medical groups have been using storage container rentals for years. The industry commonly uses steel shipping containers to store personal protective equipment (PPE), disposable materials and other overstocked inventory. But the pandemic has led to more innovative uses for custom medical shipping containers. Today, they help medical facilities adapt to high admission rates and provide more space for patients. More space for admissions means doctors can see more patients and potentially save more lives. In this post, we discuss how medical storage containers help medical teams and first responders.
3 Uses for Medical Shipping Containers
An influx of patients taxed hospitals, medical centers and doctors offices during the pandemic. Patients needing tests or already suffering from the virus pushed regular admission rates to a breaking point. Medical sites quickly needed more room to treat a growing number of patients. As a result, not only were COVID patients not getting needed care, but patients suffering from other illnesses and diseases were turned away or discharged early. Although COVID has eased because of vaccinations, medical shipping containers are still useful. Hospitals and medical clinics commonly use medical storage containers in the modern world, here are three prime examples:
1. Extra Space for Patients
During the pandemic, overtaxed hospitals used modified medical shipping containers with electricity, thermostat control, windows and doors to expand their ICUs and add patient rooms. It was an effective alternative to constructing new buildings which would take too much time. Container space allowed facilities and medical professionals to accommodate more patients, increasing the number of people they could treat and save.
2. As Mobile Medical Testing Sites
Sites to test patients for the virus were in short supply in many areas of the country. Testing people quickly and efficiently for the virus was essential to verify who was infected. It also provided insight into how the virus was spread. Unfortunately, limited testing sites, long waiting lines and a high volume of patients who needed tests made it difficult to administer and process tests rapidly. However, modified storage containers – with insulation, lighting, air conditioning and heating – allowed medical organizations and local governments to set up temporary mobile testing and vaccination sites at outdoor locations like parking lots. As a result, they were able to administer more tests and vaccinations to stop the spread of the virus.
3. To Store Essential Supplies
When medical sites stock up on equipment and materials, it reduces space for essentials. If crucial items aren’t easily accessible, it could be the difference between life and death for a patient. Building additional storage space is often a lengthy, costly process, but modifying commercial shipping containers is an affordable way to add more storage space for overflow inventory. Containers are fully customizable and can be made to fit your specific needs. In extreme weather climates, adding insulation and thermostat-controlled HVAC units gives extra protection from weather and water inside the medical storage container.
Medical Shipping Containers Recap
Modified shipping containers help medical professionals by being viable solution to a medical crisis. Medical professionals use storage containers to store PPE, disposable materials, documents and other items. It provided more space within the facility to keep crucial items closer to where they’re needed. The ability to add more storage space can help medical sites quickly adapt to the rise in patient admissions. It also kept supplies safe.
Southwest Mobile Storage has storage containers available to rent or buy. Our containers are fully customizable to meet your needs. We also offer delivery and pickup at the site of your choosing. To learn how we can benefit your business, request a quote now!
Now that you’ve seen how medical professionals use modified shipping containers, explore how other business can thrive with a medical shipping container. Here are 4 other industries that can benefit from a storage container.
