Bells and Whistles

But that's not all that's desired in a table. When it comes to features, there are a multitude of other options for the operating room tables, many dealing with safety, dependability and ease of use. Versatility is also very important.


"Return to level is important because if you are in a rush at the end to get things back to normal, it takes a while to get things back without it, but the table can return to the original position in seconds, no matter what the previous position, so it's a big time saver," says Arrington. "Batteries are also important because you're still able to finish the procedure even if the power goes out."

In fact, customers are asking more about battery operated tables these days, which also ensures that staff do not trip and injure themselves on the electrical cords. The technology for surgical table batteries usually allows a table to be run on the battery all week.

When customers are purchasing a table, the way a table moves is also taken into account.

"Vertical and horizontal position change is an important feature because in the operating room you need to elevate the patient up to a height that's comfortable for a surgeon to operate," Ogren says. "The tilt from side to side is an important function. With C-arm application, the horizontal feature is key as that extends the right left movement of the table so they can get the patient X-rayed."

Tomaszewski says a growing concern is how low a table can go and that's important with a heavy table because sometimes surgeons have to stand on stools, which can cause back pain. Thus, the low table height has become more in demand today.

In March, Steris received FDA clearance for a highly versatile, power-assisted general surgery table that allows a single staff member to safely transport a patient throughout the preoperative area.

"The 5085 SRT table is the only platform that allows clinicians the ability to slide, rotate and transport their patient on the same table," Wittine says. "The transport feature, combined with an unusually low height adjustment capability and a high weight capacity, yields the world's first crossover table."

Skytron offers solutions such as 20-inch plus top slide in conjunction with usable radiolucent areas for imaging concerns, weight bearing capabilities such as 1,200 lbs., lift with 1,000 lbs. articulation, rotating tabletops, ultra low table heights, and removable and interchangeable back and leg sections.

Of course not everyone is searching for all of these features. While nice, they aren't always necessary.

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