Mobile Medical
The Benefits of a Mobile Health Bus
December 13, 2021
When choosing a mobile health clinic, there are a variety of size options available on the market. From small Ford Transit vans to a 38 foot Winnebago, the options on the chassis for your mobile medical unit span an array of sizes.
One of the options available is a mobile health bus. These bus builds are a popular choice for hospitals and specialty clinics due to the many benefits they offer. If your clinic is considering a mobile health bus, check out the top five benefits this large chassis offers.
#1: Added Storage Space
When running a mobile medical clinic, storage space is a necessity. It is vital to have everything on hand, from supplies to equipment, to ensure that medical teams operate efficiently.
This is where a mobile health bus shines. These large designs allow for ample storage space. A mobile health bus can be designed with built-in storage solutions within the bus and along the outside of the bus. Examples of storage options include:
- Upper cabinets in each room of the bus
- Floor level drawers built into benches and seating
- Closets with built-in shelving
- Built-in refrigeration storage
- Exterior storage compartments for generators, tables, and outdoor seating
In a mobile health bus, storage can be prioritized. Depending on how the mobile medical unit will be used, the storage can be designed to accommodate specific supplies and equipment. This will help keep the bus organized and will ensure better sanitization safety.
#2: More Room for Patients
A mobile health bus is a good choice for medical clinics and hospitals that need to treat hundreds of patients a day. These large builds can be designed with a waiting room that offers ample seating for dozens of patients at a time.
They can also be equipped with more space for patients to be seen, with enough room for medical teams to work effectively, thereby avoiding the feeling of working on top of one another.
Long hallways, large medical examination rooms, and designated reception areas all come together to create a space that feels as if you are operating in your stand-alone office.
Seeing more patients in a day allows these units to become highly effective and increases the return value for the upfront investment.
#3: Easier Ability to Adhere to Social Distance Guidelines
During the past two years, it has become apparent that having enough space to keep patients far enough apart to deter the spread of contagious diseases is a must. This can be extremely difficult in small mobile medical units where space is tight.
A mobile health bus is an excellent pick for teams that need to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines. These units can be set up with space between seating in the patient waiting area and separated areas for examinations and treatment.
For hospitals and clinics that plan to use these units for pandemic response work, this extra space can be a game-changer regarding how many patients are treated in a day.
#4: Separated Rooms for Privacy
When a patient arrives at a medical clinic, one of their top concerns is often privacy. For mobile medical clinics, this can be a challenge. Your team wants to ensure that a patient can discuss their health needs freely without worrying about who else is in the room. However, this can be nearly impossible to accomplish in small mobile units.
A mobile health bus can help your patients feel better about their privacy. These large builds can be designed with separate rooms where patients can be seen one-on-one with their healthcare provider. Initial check-in can take place in a shared space, similar to a brick-and-mortar clinic, after which a patient can be escorted to a small private room for examinations, treatments, and health discussions.
#5: Additional Equipment Options
The added space in a mobile health bus gives you the option to upfit the build with extra equipment. Whether it will be used as a mobile imaging lab where ultrasounds and MRIs are offered or designed with specialized ophthalmology equipment, a mobile health bus can handle the size and weight of additional equipment.
This ability to add in extra equipment can help diversify the use of a mobile health clinic. Rather than just being used for simple primary care triage, a mobile health bus can be designed to offer an incredible number of preventative care services. This is hugely beneficial when trying to reach underserved populations in the community where access to this equipment is limited.
A great example of this is found in medical teams that utilize mobile health buses to reach rural communities. It is often impossible to fund imaging equipment in these rural areas, but a mobile health bus can bring this equipment to those who need it most.
Choose a Mobile Health Bus with Summit Bodyworks
Designing a mobile health bus can offer an array of benefits to medical teams. These large builds can be designed to feature all the same benefits of a physical location. At Summit Bodyworks, we can help your team choose the ideal layout for your team’s needs.
Interested in seeing our work in action? Check out the UCH Pink Lifesaver mobile health bus. Built on a 38 foot Freightliner chassis and Winnebago commercial shell, this quality build is equipped with a Cummins 6.7 diesel engine and an Allison2200 MH Automatic 6-Speed transmission. The interior features multiple generators, changing rooms, a large in-take and waiting area, a wheelchair lift, wall-mounted heaters, a staff support area complete with a sink, fridge, and microwave. There are premium cabinets and storage throughout the interior as well.
To learn more about designing a mobile health bus, reach out to our team today. We look forward to helping you develop the perfect build for your community’s needs.
