For those who follow our founder Shad Forsyth on LinkedIn, you may have noticed he’s been geeking out on casters A LOT lately. It might seem a little niche, but the truth is that casters are so wildly overlooked that he’s making it his personal mission to spread caster awareness.
When it comes to healthcare carts, the right casters make all the difference. They ensure smooth mobility, patient safety, and a quieter, more efficient healthcare environment. At Forsyth Healthcare, we understand that choosing the right caster type isn’t just a detail, it’s a critical part of designing equipment that works seamlessly in busy medical settings. Here’s a breakdown of the main caster types you’ll find in healthcare carts and why each matters.
If your head is spinning about all of the options and variability, reach out to us anytime.
Swivel Casters for Smooth Maneuverability
Swivel casters rotate a full 360 degrees, allowing carts to move easily around tight corners and crowded spaces. Whether you’re navigating a medication cart through a busy hallway or repositioning a hospital bed, swivel casters provide the precision movement you need.
Rigid Casters for Stability
Sometimes, you want your cart to go straight and steady. Rigid or fixed casters restrict movement to a straight line, offering greater stability. These are often paired with swivel casters on the opposite side for the best mix of control and maneuverability.
Locking Casters for Safety First
Healthcare settings demand safety. Locking casters keep carts firmly in place when needed. There are several types of locks: directional locks to guide movement, total locks that freeze both rolling and swiveling, dual locks, central locks that engage all wheels, and even “dead man” brakes that utilize handles that, when disengaged, immediately apply the caster brake. Locking casters are essential for keeping medication carts, diagnostic equipment, and workstations secure on level ground and slopes alike.
Antistatic & Conductive Casters for Sensitive Environments
In areas with delicate electronics or operating rooms, static electricity can be a hazard. Antistatic and conductive casters dissipate static to protect sensitive equipment and maintain safety standards.
Heavy-Duty Casters for Big Loads
From stretchers to large supply carts, some healthcare items require casters that can handle a heavier load without compromising mobility. Heavy-duty casters are built tough for everyday use in these demanding roles.
Low-Profile Casters for Space-Savvy Solutions
Sometimes the space under carts or counters is limited. Low-profile casters can often be the difference whether a cart can fit under a counter or not, without having to make potentially costly modifications or customized carts.
Tread shape
Casters with flat treads may provide higher load capacity and better stability while rounded casters offer superior maneuverability and easier rolling.
Material Matters: Rubber, Polyurethane, and More
The caster wheel’s material affects noise, floor protection, and durability. Rubber and polyurethane wheels glide quietly and protect hospital flooring from damage, making them favorites in healthcare settings. Certain materials, such as polyurethane and TPE treads, help protect against rush and moisture corrosion.
Specialty Casters for Unique Needs
For specialized environments such as MRI rooms, non-magnetic casters prevent interference with sensitive imaging equipment. Stainless steel or washable casters are critical where corrosion resistance, sanitation and sterilization are top priorities.
Spotlight: The 5MD Caster for Healthcare Carts
One trusted choice in healthcare environments is the 5MD caster (found on Metro carts – and no, this isn’t a paid promotion). It features a 5-inch high modulus rubber wheel with a donut bumper to absorb impacts and reduce noise. It’s designed for smooth, quiet operation and can support loads up to 250 pounds per caster. With a stainless steel or chrome-plated frame and excellent temperature resistance, the 5MD caster is ideal for mobile shelving and carts that move frequently that need reliability and durability without sacrificing floor protection, like utility carts and case carts, for example.
Choosing the right caster might seem like a small thing, but as any healthcare professional will tell you, smooth and dependable equipment can make a big difference in daily operations and patient care. At Forsyth Healthcare, we’re here to help you get mobility right, from recommending the perfect caster to custom solutions that fit your healthcare environment like a glove.
Remember, sometimes the smoothest operator in the room isn’t the surgeon, it’s the cart that never squeaks (but don’t tell a surgeon that).
For expert advice tailored to your healthcare cart needs, just reach out!
