The theatre storage struggle: How ergonomic solutions can boost staff safety and patient care

In the high-pressure world of theatres and sterile services, you—the everyday user of mobile and fixed storage units—know better than anyone how critical the right equipment is. You’re constantly on the move, managing supplies, and ensuring everything is sterile, accessible, and in the right place. But what happens when the storage solutions in your workspace aren’t working with you, but against you? A multitude of ergonomic issues can arise, including: 

• Manual handling issues — When fixed units and mobile storage systems aren’t aligned, it often leads to unnecessary lifting, bending and overreaching. Especially when sterile instruments and consumables don’t transfer seamlessly between the fitted storage racking and mobile storage trolleys. 

• Injuries caused by overreaching — Telescopic (pull-out) shelves, or the lack thereof, are another hidden hazard. Without them, reaching into deep fixed units or trying to retrieve heavy items becomes a daily strain that could turn into a long-term injury. 

• And what about stacking wrapped sterile packs? When packs become tightly wedged together, and you’re trying to remove them from racking without tearing, that puts extra strain on you and your teams. It might seem simple, but repetitive unergonomic lifting, particularly from high or low shelving, can seriously impact staff health. 

• If you’ve moved to surgical containers as a facility instead of wrap, these can be heavy and cumbersome, so think about pull-out shelves to access these more easily. This will in turn prolong the life of the containers which are expensive and important to care for in order to maintain sterility. 

Bridging the gap between users and budget holders

Many of these challenges arise because those making purchasing decisions don’t always experience the day-to-day use of the equipment. It’s not a lack of care — it’s a lack of shared understanding. That’s where you come in. 

As a user, you experience the real-world impact of poor storage design. But often, the person who holds the budget isn’t in the room when trays are jamming, sterile packs are being compromised or you’re dealing with an injured shoulder due to incorrect lifting. 

You can be the voice that connects the dots. Help the budget holders see what works on paper might not work in practice — unless the right suppliers are brought into the conversation from the very beginning. Encouraging collaboration between suppliers of fixed storage and mobile storage at the planning stage can make a world of difference. When compatibility and ergonomics are prioritised early, the result is a storage system that truly supports the clinical team. 

How to take back control: 3 steps towards better storage solutions

1. Begin with the end in mind

This is the time to think long-term and consider your overarching goals as a department. If you think about the bigger picture, not just the here and now, your storage can be tailored to better meet your needs. Think of it as an investment, rather than a cost. Investment now into better storage systems can result in: 

• Fewer staff injuries and potential for litigation 

• Higher morale and retention 

• More consistent, reliable patient care

2. Start the conversation early

Get involved with project planning or refurbishment discussions early on. It’s crucial to raise the need for compatibility between fixed storage (often Group 2) and mobile storage (Group 3) to meet all manual handling requirements. Consumables, instrument packs and other items need to be easily transferable between both styles of storage to reduce risk of manual handling injuries. 

3. Find a supply partner you can rely on

Creating new storage rooms or refurbishing existing ones within the theatre setting can often be complex and very detailed projects. We recommend partnering with a supplier who will hold your hand all the way through the process. Look for attention to detail. Care for the small things and a proactive approach to communications is a sure sign you have a strong and supportive supply chain. 

Remember, it’s not just about storage. It’s about ongoing staff wellbeing. 

Ergonomic storage solutions = smarter healthcare 

There’s no need to compromise your safety to do your job well. With the right storage systems in place, that are designed for ergonomic use, with proper compatibility and thoughtful planning, you can work more efficiently and confidently. 

It’s time to make a change. It’s time to move beyond the quick fixes. It’s time to invest in smarter storage. And it all starts with is a conversation. Reach out to have a chat with our storage experts: 

📞 01732 367 777
✉️ sales@​ocura.​co.​uk
🔗 ocu​ra​.co​.uk/​c​o​n​t​a​ct-us