Why material matters in theatres and clinics
In an operating theatre or a busy clinic, equipment is cleaned and disinfected many times a day. Instrument trolleys, Mayo tables and bowl stands stand close to the sterile field; IV poles and waste bins move from room to room. Every surface that is hard to clean, scratches easily or corrodes over time becomes a weak point in infection control and a cost in replacement.
That is why stainless steel has long been the material of choice for this kind of equipment. A smooth, non-porous surface makes cleaning more effective, and resistance to corrosion means the equipment keeps its surface quality through years of routine disinfection. Good design matters just as much: rounded details, easy-to-reach surfaces, stable bases and reliable castors all affect how well equipment can be kept clean and how long it lasts.
What 304 grade stainless steel offers
Grade 304 is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel and one of the most widely used grades in medical and food environments. Its chromium content forms a thin passive layer on the surface that protects the metal from corrosion and renews itself when the surface is cleaned and exposed to air. In practice, this gives a surface that tolerates frequent cleaning and keeps its appearance.
Several products in Erpomed's stainless steel equipment group use a 304 grade stainless steel body or main structure:
- ERP-7115 hydraulic Mayo table
- ERP-7117 single bowl stand and ERP-7118 double bowl stand
- ERP-7121 and ERP-7122 instrument trolleys with 2 and 3 shelves
- ERP-5210 36-litre medical waste bin
Equipment around the operating table
Mayo tables
The ERP-7115 hydraulic Mayo table has a 304 grade stainless steel body, foot pedal height adjustment from 78 to 116 cm, a swivel top, anti-tipping balance and lockable castors. The ERP-7116 manual Mayo table combines a metal main body with a stainless steel top plate, manual height adjustment from 77 to 110 cm, anti-tipping balance and lockable castors.
Bowl stands, instrument trolleys and lighting
The ERP-7117 and ERP-7118 bowl stands carry one or two 5-litre stainless steel bowls with a 26 cm diameter, adjustable in height from 80 to 142 cm and fitted with lockable castors. The ERP-7121 and ERP-7122 instrument trolleys (84 × 52 × 90 cm) have push handles, protective bumpers at four corners and four wheels with cross brakes. For additional lighting, the ERP-7119 mobile LED operation lamp provides 30,000 lux, with a movable LED head, a cooling feature and a spiral arm.
Hand hygiene at the scrub sink
Surgical hand scrubbing is one of the most important steps before any procedure, and the fewer surfaces the hands touch afterwards, the better. The ERP-7125 single and ERP-7126 double stainless steel surgical scrub sinks are built around this principle, with a thermostatic valve, water flow controlled by photocell and knee, knee-controlled soap flow, front service hatches and top-fill disinfectant. Both are 70 cm wide and 120 cm high, with lengths of 75 cm and 150 cm.
In the clinic and on the ward
Not every piece of clinical equipment needs to be stainless steel, and the right material depends on the setting. Erpomed's IV poles show this clearly: the IV-100 has a metal base, the IV-200 a plastic base and the IV-300 a cast base. All three have 4 hooks, height adjustment between 116 and 210 cm and swivel castors.
Other products in examination rooms use protective coatings. The ERP-7120 examination table has a nano ceramic and powder-coated frame, the ERP-7114 folding screen an epoxy powder-coated frame, and the ERP-7110 and ERP-7111 hydraulic stools a chrome-plated base with 48–61 cm seat height adjustment. For waste, the ERP-5210 combines 304 grade stainless steel with a lockable lid and five castors.
Keeping stainless steel equipment in good condition
- Use cleaning and disinfecting agents approved for stainless steel and follow the instructions for use.
- Avoid abrasive pads and steel wool, which can scratch the surface.
- Rinse off disinfectant residues where recommended and dry surfaces after cleaning.
- Check castors, brakes and height adjustment mechanisms regularly.
- Train staff in correct use, so that equipment lasts longer.
For technical details on the ERP-71xx series, IV poles or other stainless steel equipment, contact the Erpomed team at export@erpomed.com.
