Retractable doors, more space in each ward. CFS Italia is innovating the storage trolleys for ISO baskets.

CFS Italia presents SPACE ISO-1H, the trolley for ISO baskets with retractable MDF doors designed for those who work every day in spaces where every centimeter counts. In this article, we explain why this solution was born from a very specific need in hospital wards and healthcare facilities.

The problem: space in the ward

Anyone who manages a hospital ward, clinic, or nursing home knows this problem all too well: space is a critical resource not only in corridors, but in every work environment, from patient rooms to preparation and storage areas. Carts often need to be positioned side by side, and traditional doors, when they open outward, take up additional space precisely when staff need quick access to the baskets.

The solution by CFS Italia

The SPACE ISO-1H doors open up to 90°, then the door can be pushed inward and retracts completely along the side of the trolley, eliminating any front obstruction. The steel hinges that enable this opening are guaranteed for over 120,000 cycles, a feature designed for intense, daily use. The mechanism that allows for the smooth and safe sliding of the doors is based on fully extendable rails with a limit switch that ensures the door opens completely safely. The rails support the door in any position: even when the door is fully extended, there is no risk of the trolley tipping over or the door slipping out of its designed slot.

Retractable door systems already exist in other areas, such as kitchen furniture. CFS Italia is the first manufacturer in the world to have applied this system in a hospital setting, primarily in our Universal line, which has been on the market for several years already. Our R&D department has now extended the application of this solution to our SPACE ISO line, dedicated to the storage and movement of 60×40 cm modular baskets and drawers.

Doors or shutter? An ergonomic advantage

Many carts for the storage of ISO baskets on the market use a roller shutter instead of doors. From an ergonomic standpoint, however, the roller shutter has a limitation: the handle to raise or lower it is at different heights depending on how far it is open, forcing the user to bend or raise their arm every time they access it. With two separate doors, however, the aluminum handles always remain at the same height, regardless of how many times the cart is opened and closed during a shift. This detail reduces repetitive strain on staff and makes accessing the baskets quicker and less tiring.

Materials designed for healthcare use

The body is made of epoxy-coated steel with a scratch-, stain-, and corrosion-resistant finish: washable and disinfectable, as required by any healthcare environment. The doors themselves are made of 19 mm MDF panels: they have scratch-resistant finish, shaped and molded with washable and disinfectable thermoformed polymeric leaf coating. The MDF panel is in emission class E1 (low formaldehyde content), density 640 kg/sqm. The top, made of fireproof steel with rounded edges, is also designed for ease of cleaning.

A modular inner compartment

Inside, the molded ABS thermoformed sides allow the inner compartment to be configured according to the ward’s needs, inserting drawers, baskets, or shelves. Specifically, plastic drawers with front label holders are available in 4 colors and 3 heights (7, 14, 21 cm), or baskets in 3 heights (5, 10, 20 cm): all with standard ISO dimensions of 60×40 cm, allowing the same cart to be adapted to the storage of medications, consumables, or equipment by simply changing the internal configuration.

To complete the cart, an ergonomic, shock-absorbing push handle can be added upon request. The cart also includes four thermoformed swivel twin castors, two of which have brakes, for safe maneuverability even during frequent transfers and greater structural stability. The cart is available in a variety of colors to match the visual identity of each department or facility.

Who is it intended for?

SPACE ISO-1H is suitable for hospital wards, clinics, nursing homes and elderly care facilities: wherever the management and storage of medicines, medical supplies or linens requires a reliable, easy-to-sanitize cart that can be configured according to current needs, without compromising circulation in common areas.

Want to know more?

If you’re considering solutions for organizing your healthcare spaces and are looking for a cart tailored to your needs, contact us at commerciale@cfsitalia.com. We’d be happy to discuss the best configuration for you.