Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Medical Exam Table

When was the last time you visited your doctor? If the answer is recently, you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among the 1 billion Americans who visit the physician’s office every year, almost 50% seek primary care. In such healthcare setups, multiple medical instruments are required to ease the examination process. One such item is the medical exam table, which is often a centerpiece of every healthcare facility.

In this article, let us learn what features should be checked before buying a medical exam table them. In addition, let us also learn about some of their best brands available in the market.

What is a Medical Exam Table?

A medical exam table, also known as a box table, treatment table, as well as ADA exam table, is a furniture item that is employed in hospitals, dental facilities, as well as veterinary centers for providing a space for the patient to sit or lie down.

These come with a padded surface, which is comfortable for the users. Moreover, almost all medical exam tables offer adjustability of height as well as position that helps accommodate patients with different needs.

What to Look for While Buying a Medical Exam Table?

While buying a medical exam table for your healthcare facility, you should go through some of the basics that need to be considered. Some of these include the following:

Type

Medical exam tables are designed in many different ways. Some of these are manually operated, while others are powered. In addition, medical exam tables also vary based on their functionality and suitability for certain medical procedures. Therefore, you must be aware of the environment in which the medical exam table is to be installed as well as the functions it has to serve.

The following are some of the medical exam table types and the environments in which these are to be employed:

Medical Exam Tables	Suitability Based on the Environment and Functionality
Manual exam tables	Multi-practice clinics with a small space
Power or electric exam tables	Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities
Procedure tables	Suitable for conducting minor surgical procedures
Gynecology tables	Used in hospitals, OB/GYN offices, specialty clinics
Hydraulic exam tables	General practices, hospitals, and medical centers

Adjustability

While buying a medical exam table, adjustability is one of the most essential features. This is because an adjustable medical exam table can be repositioned to change the patient’s posture without having to move them.

For instance, an adjustable backrest helps change the patient’s state from sitting to lying down. To do so, the caregiver just has to change the height of the backrest. During this process, the patient does not have to move from their place at all, which enhances comfort.

It is also important to look for a medical exam table that comes with an adjustable footrest as well as an armrest.

Construction Material

Most medical exam tables contain metal or wood as their construction materials. As both these materials are hard, they ensure the durability of the instrument, which leads to long-term usage. However, metallic medical exam tables are considered superior to the wood ones due to the fact that metal lasts longer than wooden substances.

You should also make sure to check that the metal tables are constructed using aluminum or rust-resistant stew frames, as corrosion might be a risk in some cases.

Padding

Properly padded medical exam tables allow the patients to stay comfortable while they are using the instrument. As both metallic and wooden construction materials are not comfortable to sit on, proper padding is necessary. This not only makes the patient comfortable but also provides the necessary support and stability to the body.

Weight Capacity

Another important feature to look for while buying a medical exam table is its weight capacity. Weight capacity refers to the amount of weight an instrument can bear without breaking. Most medical exam tables have a weight capacity of 450 to 500 pounds (204 to 227 kg). As for the pediatric ones, a table with 40 to 450 pounds (lbs) is considered suitable.

Portability

In general, medical exam tables are heavy and have a sturdy design that restricts their frequent relocation. However, some medical exam tables offer portability that can be an essential feature if you plan to relocate your clinic or office to another location.

These medical exam tables are comparatively lighter in weight and have wheels that allow mobility.

Customizability

If you are buying a medical exam table for a healthcare facility that deals with the treatment of different ailments, you might be looking for a table that can serve multiple purposes during varying medical procedures.

This further elevates the need for adjustability of the table in ways that can fulfill the demands of the healthcare provider while ensuring patient comfort. In this regard, when buying a medical exam table it is advised to choose the one that can serve multiple purposes, is budget-friendly, and preferably portable.

Storage

As medical exam tables are heighted and have a padded surface of a few inches at the top only, it makes sense to use the space below the padding for storage. In this regard, most medical exam tables either have pull-out drawers or open shelves. Some also have cabinets that can be used to keep the necessary medical supplies needed during different medical procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before buying a medical exam table, buyers often have many questions in their minds. Some of these have been addressed as follows:

1.      What is the ideal height of medical exam tables?

When it comes to the height of a medical exam table, a product between the ranges of 28″ to 36″ is considered suitable. This can be further adjusted to different levels while performing different tasks. For instance,

• The height of a medical exam table can be set at 19″ to 21″, which is suitable for patient seating.
• If it is elevated up to 30” to 34”, the table becomes suitable for medical examination.
• In case of a 36” to 40” height, medical exam tables become useful for conducting medical procedures.

2.      For how long can a medical exam table be expected to last?

If properly maintained, a medical exam table lasts many years, depending upon its type. Once they have been used enough, it is recommended to go for a replacement.

Types of Medical Exam Tables	Usage Period Before Replacement
Manual or basic exam tables	5 to 7 years
Power or electric exam tables	7 to 10 years
Procedure tables	10 to 15 years
Gynecology tables	5 to 8 years
Hydraulic exam tables	10 to 15 years

Keep in mind that replacements can be required earlier if the medical exam table has worn out due to frequent mechanical adjustments.

3.      Is an electric medical exam table better than a manual one?

Electric exam tables offer benefits that render them suitable for use in most setups as a replacement for the manual tables. These include:

• Easier positioning of the patients with minimum effort
• Reduced strain on the healthcare staff
• Accommodation of patients of varying heights and age groups
• Suitability for adjustment for conducting different medical procedures

Medical Exam Tables at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications

Medical exam tables are the products that allow the patient to sit or lie down while they are being examined by the doctor. These provide the necessary support and stability to the patient, which helps the healthcare provider to conduct procedures or tests on them.

When it comes to learning about what a medical exam table is, it is also essential to look into some of the products that many brands manufacture. Some of these well-known brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below, along with their features and purchase links:

Mismark Corporat 625-004 Table, Exam Barrier-Free Builtscale 650 LBS CAP

Product Details

Mismark Corporat 625-004 medical exam tables come with a fully integrated scale that allows the measurement of patients’ weight and indicates their BMA. The features are so easy to use that a single button operation has been provided for the ease of the users.

Moreover, these barrier-free Mismark Corporat 625-004 medical exam tables also come with a temperature control that keeps the device warm up to 98°F. This is essential, especially during the colder months when the metallic frame of the device can become cold and uncomfortable.

Furthermore, these Mismark Corporat 625-004 medical exam tables also have heated drawers that store medical supplies needed during the examination. A paper roll holder has also been installed in the design.

In addition, USB can be connected to the system by the IQhub it carries. This way, the patient’s vital signs can be recorded and saved. The system is adjustable and can be set based on the patient’s needs.

Midmark Corporat 223-016 Base, Exam Table 223 W/PWR BCK HT/RECEPT

Product Details

Midmark Corporat 223-016 base medical exam tables that are adjustable. These can be lowered to 18 inches and can be raised to 37 inches. This gives a wide range of options to accommodate patients belonging to different age groups. Being electric products, these medical exam tables are powered, which means they do not require much effort to operate.

Furthermore, these Midmark Corporat 223-016 base medical exam tables also enhance user safety by restricting bending and moving too quickly. These also take away the strain that is often experienced by the healthcare staff during physical examination.

In addition, these Midmark Corporat 223-016 base medical exam tables allow the positioning of the patient with a foot control, thus providing a smooth transition. The product is suitable for expectant mothers, the elderly, as well as patients with disabilities.

Midmark Corporat 204-001 Table, Exam Base Only DRWR

Product Details

Midmark Corporat 204-001 base exam tables are one of the most comfortable products in the market. These have a thick padding that renders them comfortable for the patients. Moreover, a number of drawers have been installed in the design which ease the storage of medical supplies.

Moreover, these Midmark Corporat 204-001 base exam tables come with larger, steel-reinforced footsteps that ease the process of getting on the table with an added sense of security. These easy-to-clean tables are also slip-resistant. Additionally, their rounded edges also keep the patient secure.

Furthermore, these Midmark Corporat 204-001 base exam tables have accessories including knee crutches, drain pans, as well as a bracket of Welch Allyn light. All the items are free from latex, which means there is no risk of skin irritation.

*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from our Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.

At Health Supply 770, we offer a wide range of medical exam tables and other essential medical supplies. We’re committed to fast shipping, reliable service, and a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can shop with confidence.

Conclusion

Medical exam tables are an essential part of every healthcare facility, including hospitals, clinics, as well as veterinary centers. These are used for seating the patient during physical examination. Moreover, these tables can also be used for lying down if a minor procedure is to be conducted.

While buying a medical exam table for your healthcare facility, it is important to check the features mentioned above and select an item that is suitable. As medical exam tables are available in different types, you should choose a product that has been designed specifically for your space, as well as the work it needs to do.

Since medical exam tables are important in healthcare facilities as well as in home settings, these should be purchased and kept in working condition for future use. For purchasing different types of medical exam tables, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/physician-visits.htm