An Idea That Doesn't Work: Don't Stack Equipment on Carts

DANGER Don't stack equipment on top of each other.

Don't Stack Equipment on Carts

"Frankenstein Your Carts" (May, page 13) recommends stacking several pieces of equipment, including an electrosurgical generator and a sequential compression device, onto a cart with a power strip to minimize tripping hazards and to save room in the OR. Turns out this is not sound advice:

• Some devices, such as electrosurgical generators, may malfunction or overheat when you stack equipment on top of them.
• Overloading a cart with equipment could result in damaged equipment and workplace injuries due to carts tipping over or equipment falling off during transport.
• Don't plug OR equipment into a power strip.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

— The editors