TAGCart’s Inc., in partnership with Inpro Corp., proudly announces our innovative TAG-X® Smart Rail has been awarded the prestigious Silver Nightingale Innovation Award for “Technology-Integrated Solutions” at the Healthcare Design Expo 2024. This groundbreaking product is transforming healthcare environments by offering seamless, wireless charging solutions for mobile medical equipment, enhancing both safety and workflow for healthcare professionals.

The Nightingale Awards, in partnership with the HCD Conference, recognize products related to the healthcare built environment. It is named for Florence Nightingale, a tireless advocate for the improvement of care and conditions in military and civilian hospitals in the 1800s. The judging criteria for the awards is the product’s contribution or solution for clinical or operational outcomes; aesthetics and innovation; built environment solution, durability, functionality, and quality; industry certifications and standards; environmental sustainability; and list price.

The TAG-X® Smart Rail eliminates the need for nurses and caregivers to constantly plug and unplug power cords, allowing for a contactless and efficient charging experience. This not only reduces cross-contamination risks but also minimizes physical strain on caregivers, freeing them to focus on delivering patient care without the constant interruption of managing cords. Mounted on a durable, impact-resistant frame, the TAG-X® Smart Rail offers unparalleled durability and ease of installation, fitting seamlessly into various healthcare settings.

Healthcare professionals are already recognizing the game-changing benefits of the TAG-X® Smart Rail. One ER nurse shared, “Love the TAG-X wireless charging! I seek the TAGCarts out over the old corded carts because they’re just easier and make my workflow smoother…Lov’em!”

Taggart Neal, Founder and CEO of TAGCarts, Inc., shared “The Nightingale Awards program at HCDExpo has a history or predicting winners. Seeing the TAG-X® Smart Rail receive this ‘Technology-Integrated Solution’ award with Team Inpro is industry validation of our work and recognition of our momentum in cutting the cord for healthcare. In collaboration with Inpro and various partners we are humble to receive the award, and grateful to the highly accredited judges who see the future of healthcare today, with TAG-X® Smart Rails.”

TAGCart’s commitment to healthcare innovation through evidence-based and human-centered design shines through in this award-winning product. We are excited to see the TAG-X® Smart Rail contribute to safer, more efficient healthcare environments across the industry.

For more information or to apply for a use-case validation pilot, please visit our website TAGCarts.com. Follow us on social media to stay updated on our milestones as we press forward to revolutionize healthcare through technology.

About TAGCarts, Inc.

TAGCarts specializes in creating innovative healthcare solutions that enhance operational efficiency and improve patient care. Our latest product, the TAG-X Smart Rail, is a testament to our commitment to transforming healthcare environments with smart, user-friendly technology.

About Inpro Corp.

Inpro is a global leader in interior protection, dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the occupants in the buildings they help protect. Their mission is to drive meaningful change through innovative and sustainable solutions.

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El Dorado Hills, CA – USA

TAGCarts, Inc. and Inpro Corp. to Debut the Game-Changing TAG-X Smart Rail at Healthcare Design Expo in Indianapolis

TAGCarts, Inc. is excited to announce the debut of our innovative new product, the TAG-X Smart Rail, in collaboration with Inpro Corp. The TAG-X Smart Rail will be showcased at the Healthcare Design Expo & Conference, taking place October 5-8, 2024, in Indianapolis, IN.

This groundbreaking solution will be featured at the Inpro Booth 277, where attendees can experience firsthand how the TAG-X Smart Rail redefines efficiency and safety in healthcare environments. The TAGCarts and Inpro teams will be present to demonstrate the product’s capabilities, answer questions, and discuss how this innovative system is poised to make a lasting impact on healthcare facilities.

The TAG-X Smart Rail is a state-of-the-art solution designed to streamline patient care and optimize healthcare workflows. Engineered with precision and ease of use, the product integrates seamlessly into existing healthcare spaces, providing hospitals and clinics with improved organization, flexibility, and a new level of patient-centered care.

Event Details:

• Date: October 5-8, 2024
• Location: Indianapolis, IN
• Booth: Inpro Booth 277

We invite all conference attendees to visit us and discover how TAGCarts and Inpro are transforming the future of healthcare infrastructure with this cutting-edge technology. Attendees are invited to set a meeting with our team in advance here. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with our teams and explore the latest advancements in healthcare design.

For more information, visit tagcarts.com or inprocorp.com.

Stay tuned for updates from the Healthcare Design Expo, and follow us on LinkedIn and social media for behind-the-scenes insights.

About TAGCarts, Inc.
TAGCarts, Inc. specializes in creating innovative healthcare solutions that enhance operational efficiency and improve patient care. Our latest product, the TAG-X Smart Rail, is a testament to our commitment to transforming healthcare environments with smart, user-friendly technology.

About Inpro  

Inpro is a global leader in interior protection, dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the occupants in the buildings they help protect. Their mission is to drive meaningful change through innovative and sustainable solutions.  

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Monday, August 26, 2024

TAGCarts® and Inpro Unveil Revolutionary Wireless Charging TAG-X® Smart Rail for Enhanced Healthcare Efficiency  

[MILWAUKEE, WI] — In a groundbreaking partnership, leading medical cart, workstation, and mobile medical equipment (MME) company, TAGCarts®, has joined forces with Inpro, a global leader in interior protection, to introduce the “TAG-X® Smart Rail.” This state-of-the-art wireless, contactless charging device is designed to seamlessly integrate with TAGCarts®’ ecosystem of carts, MME and software. The innovative TAG-X® Smart Rail promises to enhance healthcare efficiency, optimize battery health, and improve staff mobility and safety.  

Revolutionizing Healthcare with Wireless Charging  

The TAG-X® Smart Rail combines patented TAGCarts® technology with a durable Inpro wall guard, offering wireless charging for all medical carts and mobile medical equipment, regardless of battery size or chemistry type. This innovative product eliminates the need for hazardous cords and costly swappable battery systems currently in use. By utilizing existing infrastructure in healthcare facilities, such as bed guards, handrails, and wall protection, the TAG-X® Smart Rail ensures a seamless addition to any environment.  

“I was tired of seeing nurses and healthcare professionals struggle with problems that seemed to be ignored,” said Taggart Neal, CEO and Founder of TAGCarts®. “Partnering with Inpro was a natural choice given their reputation and expertise in the healthcare industry. Our collaboration aims to tackle these challenges head-on and make a significant impact on the lives of healthcare workers and their patients.”  

Key Benefits and Features  

Enhanced Efficiency: Streamlines medical workflows and enhances patient care.  

Optimized Battery Health: Extends the lifespan and reliability of mobile medical equipment.  

Improved Mobility and Safety: Eliminates hazardous cords, reducing risks of trips and falls.  

Seamless Integration: Utilizes existing healthcare facility infrastructure.  

Touch-Free Charging: Effortless, contactless charging for all medical carts and equipment.  

Matt Bennett, Vice President of Product Development and Technical Services at Inpro, echoed Neal’s sentiments, “TAGCarts® has identified a critical issue that has been overlooked for too long. At Inpro, our mission has always been to make a difference in the lives of the occupants in the buildings we help protect. Partnering with TAGCarts® aligns perfectly with our goal of driving meaningful change in the healthcare sector. We are proud to bring this innovative solution to the market and look forward to the positive impact it will have on healthcare professionals.”  

The simplicity of the TAG-X® Smart Rail is what makes it brilliant. Healthcare professionals can effortlessly roll their carts or equipment near the rail, where the “X” marks the spot for efficient, touch-free charging.   

Successful Test Pilot and Future Plans  

The innovation is already gaining traction, with hospitals eager to retrofit their existing rails and incorporate this advanced technology. The first hospital test pilot was launched in New Mexico in August 2023, and the data analytics thus far highlights “Touch Points Prevented” as a key performance indicator. Infection prevention is driving the reduction of touch points, cross-contamination, and patient readmissions. TAGCarts® and Inpro are gearing up for more test pilots in 2024, in conjunction with WiBotic and Capsa Healthcare.  

The TAG-X® Smart Rail will be available for sale August 26, 2024. For more information, visit inprocorp.com  

Experience the TAG-X® Smart Rail at Healthcare Design 2024  

Discover the future of healthcare design with TAG-X® Smart Rail at Healthcare Design Conference + Expo 2024, taking place from October 5-8 in Indianapolis. Visit Inpro’s booth to learn how this innovative technology is transforming patient care and support for nurses. Our team will be on hand to demonstrate the TAG-X® Smart Rail’s capabilities and discuss how it can enhance your healthcare environment. Do not miss this opportunity to experience this game-changing solution firsthand.  

About TAGCarts®  

TAGCarts® is a leading provider of medical cart, workstation, and mobile medical equipment (MME), committed to enhancing healthcare efficiency and safety. Their innovative products are designed to optimize workflow and improve the lives of healthcare professionals and patients alike.  

About Inpro  

Inpro is a global leader in interior protection, dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the occupants in the buildings they help protect. Their mission is to drive meaningful change through innovative and sustainable solutions.  

*For More Information regarding this press release, please contact: Greg Groth – gregr@tagcarts.com

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The Center For Health Design; Taggart ”Tagg” Neal, EDAC, Founder and CEO TAGCarts® – Member Spotlight

The Center For Health Design’s® Lynn Kinney, EDAC, SASHE recently interviewed TAGCarts® Founder and CEO Taggart Neal, EDAC for the Affiliate Connection’s “News and Highlights” 30k+ readers.

Full site Reader View available HERE.

…This month, we had the pleasure of interviewing Taggart “Tagg” Neal, EDAC, of TAGCarts®. Tagg is literally thinking outside the box with his innovative and time-saving solutions for caregivers.

Briefly describe your current role. 

As founder and CEO of TAGCarts®, I oversee strategy, operations, culture, execution, finance, investor relations, sales and business development. Everything I do falls within the discipline of building a brand of products with nurses and hospitals. Our brand reflects their values, culture, and goals for better community health.

How long have you been affiliated with The Center?

5 years.

What led you to become a member?

The Center’s member community represents other like-minded teams embracing evidence-based design (EBD) in the healthcare industry. As a startup, I wanted our membership and contributions to the greater collective to be a cornerstone of our company culture. The team at The Center supported my vision for a cart company beyond expectations and hasn’t stopped since.

How did you get started in the industry?

In 2003, I was fortunate to be offered a position with a medical cart company as a territory manager for Northern California and Nevada. I fell in love with the role of serving nurses by providing medical cart solutions to enhance their ability to work smarter, safer, and provide better care for patients.

How have you utilized EBD and your EDAC credential to build a better cart and how has that impacted outcomes?

The evidence-based design process provided the framework for designing our supply cart for nurses – known as the TAGCart®. It validates our design as going way beyond. We sought challenges and feedback from users to improve and inform design. My evidence-based design credential (EDAC) gave me the knowledge to apply the EBD process to our medical cart design. Including stakeholders requires input from more than just end-users. One outcome of that was the evidence we found where hospitals and healthcare systems are trending toward the integration of their sustainability goals into their supply chain. This validated our desire to build a sustainable cart for healthcare and was thus included. Had we only asked end user nurses about sustainability, we would not have known hospitals were looking for capital equipment to evolve beyond being competitive to becoming beacons of sustainability.

What have you liked most about being part of The Center for Health Design community?

Collaborating with other design-minded professionals. It’s comforting and validating to know others view objects, products, or environments of care beyond the “surface” of what they actually are. It’s design-mind thinking and there are no right answers, only models for processing. Eliminating binary outcomes encourages my ability to explore, suppose, imagine, and on occasion innovate.

What is your “go-to” resource from The Center?

The Knowledge Repository. It’s a dynamic treasure trove of case studies, white papers, and overall evidence-based design work for healthcare.

What is one of your greatest professional accomplishments?

Easy, last month I walked into a hospital department in Silicon Valley to find a nurse delightfully charting on a TAGCart®. It was a surreal moment and interaction I’ll never forget.

What changes do you anticipate in the “new normal”?

Due to hyper advancements in technology innovation, I anticipate society placing greater value on cognitive energy displacement, mental health, and self-care as it relates to overall health and immunity. We are evolving past last century’s isolated metrics of money and time, into a new equation with primary variables of energy and health. I contend the current and visible paradigm shift toward home health and aging in place are outcomes of this new equation, in the “new normal.”

Tell us something that others may not know about you.

For about ten years of my early professional career and prior to corrective surgery, I was clinically deaf in both ears.

Tagg, thank you for your contributions to our industry and for you perseverance in creating evidence-based solutions for clinicians.

About TAGCarts®, Inc.

TAGCarts® is a Veteran Owned, California Founder Institute company bringing the medical cart industry into the 21st century with conscientious design and material manufacturing for nurses in healthcare. Based in Sacramento, TAGCarts® mission driven values’ of social responsibility and sustainability in healthcare was honored as Comstock’s Magazine’s “Startup of the Month” and founded by CEO Taggart F. Neal.

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September 17, 2021 – Sacramento, CA USA

TAGCarts, Inc. salutes and congratulates the 1st US Carbon Neutral Health System!(1.) It is increasingly clear healthcare has embraced corporate sustainability. With goals dating back five to ten years, we now find ourselves on the eve of twenty twenty-two, and in the initial manifestation of their economical, social, and environmental goal achievements. As a whole, these healthcare system values’ are now driving corporate decision making, supply chain partners, and spend commitments.

Consumerism in Healthcare

As a share of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, health spending accounted for 17.7 percent (2.). As the nation’s largest employer(3.), healthcare employs one in eight of us accounting for 12.5% (4.), and is expected to grow an additional 14% by 2028 due to the aging population (5.). This means healthcare isn’t an industry island of isolation, but rather consumers are healthcare and healthcare systems are consumers. This readily explains the rapid insurgence of consumerism into all facets of healthcare. Trends in consumer market = trends in healthcare. Accordingly a large percentage of those of us who work in healthcare, are the same consumers of healthcare. Today’s informed consumer is today’s informed patient as well as today’s healthcare worker. This is the driving force of compounding sustainability in healthcare and consumers will patronize healthcare systems who operate with forward thinking values that reflect their own.

Sustainability Phased Integration

With healthcare systems sustainability priority goals targeting greatest impact within their control, operational efficiencies, design, the built environment, and green energy consumption represent their first and second stage adoption of sustainable healthcare. These phases required dedicating their own resources toward new and innovative systems of operation and use; through their own capital and with applied grants and government / organizational rebates. The secondary and tertiary phases of adoption to sustainability, will actually cost healthcare far less capital and resources as they place the burden of “Shift” on their supply chain partners.

Product Differentiation

In the scope of hospital capital equipment, “Hospital Grade”, use to represent proven efficacy, durability, and ever lasting utility. Today, in light of current and past global pandemics (COVID-19, Ebola, etc.), informed patients (consumers) understand more than ever the link between their health and the health of their community and planet.

Has the casual “Consumer Grade” standard evolved beyond “Hospital Grade” for capital medical equipment? Perhaps when it comes to to the sustainability component of the products, yes…temporarily. However the evolved procurement processes and policies enable healthcare’s supply chain to slingshot past the consumer market where “Hospital Grade” represents sustainable production, manufacturing, and supply chain for approved vendors and diversified suppliers.

Vendor Differentiation

For the last few decades, being a diversified supplier to healthcare was enough to shine and win committed spend; Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned, Minority-Owned, Small Business, and more. In the last ten years we have seen that grow into the suppliers who have policies of “Corporate Good” and policies of giving back. Examples are performing charity on weekends, highway clean-ups, adopting a less fortunate hospital across the globe, and more. The real evolution is taking place now. Environmental Preferred Purchasing and Sustainable Procurement policies are the new normal…

• What are your products made of?
• Where are they made?
• Who makes them?
• Is there a carbon footprint score or certification available?
• How is your company promoting wellness and good outside of your primary revenue core competencies?

Consumers – nurses, procurement, administration, staff, c-suite, management – are smart and informed. They peel back the layers of the marketing with a click on their phones or mouse – to fact check if the spirit of the marketing and positioning message are consistent with their products and actions.

Wherever healthcare supplier / vendor companies lie on the sustainability spectrum, being true and authentic to your commitments, goals and impact will deliver the highest rewards.

For Your Medical Cart Solutions,

Tagg

TAGCarts – Powered by Design, Designed for Care.

To see TAGCarts features and benefits for nurses and healthcare professionals please click here and review our “Suitable Medical Cart Applications.” To learn more about TAGCarts’ core sustainability commitments please click here. For questions about this article, share your next project, schedule a demo or contact us please click here.

Site References:

1. https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/community-health/news/first-carbon-neutral-health-system-in-us

2. https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/NationalHealthExpendData/NationalHealthAccountsHistorical

3. https://www.exploremedicalcareers.com/1-in-8-americans-employed-by-u-s-healthcare-industry/

4. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2020/10/health-care-still-largest-united-states-employer.html

5. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm

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TAGCarts is pleased to officially welcome Dr. Karen K. Giuliano, PhD, RN, FAAN, MBA, to the TAGCarts Board of Advisors.

Karen brings over 25 years of experience in critical care nursing, medical product innovation and clinical outcomes research. Karen has made numerous contributions to the literature, with over 80 publications in more than 20 different journals and is also a frequent presenter. While her knowledge is in general acute and critical care, Karen’s specific interests are focused on the intersection of clinical needs and medical technology use, development and innovation.

In mid 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Registered Nurse, Karen K. Giuliano, was featured on the “Handoff” podcast by Trusted Health – For the Modern Nurse, as a nationally recognized nurse-innovator. TAGCarts reached out to Dr. Giuliano to appreciate her interview and share the work they were doing to elevate nursing with highly designed medical carts for healthcare.

Karen recognized the medical cart market as antiquated and ripe for disruption. Embracing TAGCarts’ vision and culture, Karen was attracted by how the company had made nurse input vital to their research and design process. In light of the CEO’s experience in medical carts for healthcare, Karen was impressed with the depth of end-user / nurse feedback TAGCarts integrated as part of the due diligence product development process. (TAGCarts and it’s partners conducted a multitude of interviews, performed in depth research, and hosted a three-day design charette with nurses in Berkeley, California in January 2020).

In the fall of 2020 TAGCarts engaged Karen’s consultancy firm, Pace-Setter & Associates, to perform clinical research and collect data around a potentially life saving medical cart innovation project. In addition Karen participated on the design team for their first generation supply / treatment / procedure medical cart.

Karen and CEO Taggart Neal met in Boston, Massachusetts in April of 2021 as her role soon progressed from consultant to Advisor.

Dr. Giuliano’s professional and educational background can be seen on her Advisor profile here.

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TAGCarts, Inc. was recently awarded a Utility Patent from the United States Patent & Trademark Office, for their “Wall Anchor for Cart with Recharging.”

Patent No.: 10,927,873 – TAGCarts, Inc.

TAGCarts®’ intellectual property development is a key focus of it’s growth strategy. On February 23, 2021 the USPTO awarded the Delaware corporation’s first utility patent relating to medical and workstation carts. You can readily view on Google Patents here, “Wall Anchor for Cart with Recharging.”

Background of Invention:

In TAGCarts’ mission to solve for nursing with evolved medical cart and workstation solutions, an undeniable pain point emerged as omnipresent.

Problem: Clinically and professionally trained Nurses monitoring, managing, and maintaining mobile medical cart power systems. Initially chords, plugs and outlets plagued hospital and healthcare nursing. In order to keep medical carts and workstations powered, nurses are required to monitor power levels, manage chords, outlets and plugs, and maintain populations of powered carts for use while others may be charging. A slight improvement came with “Swappable” batteries. Now, with banks of batteries charging at centralized stations in a department, nurses were no longer having to plug, unplug and manage chords, outlets and plugs. However, they still require monitoring, managing and maintaining these floating battery cartridges, into the carts, into the chargers, and round and round. This added unnecessary nurse ambulation, and traded one physical and cognitive task for another. While solving for chords and plugs, and to some extent nurses bending up and down with chords, now they are carrying loaf of bread sized batteries to and fro. Additionally, now the PAR levels of batteries available, must be maintained, purchased, and refreshed to require the power modules for the carts. Unfortunately a huge majority of carts and workstations still use the less expensive chord / plug / outlet versions, and the newer “Swappable Batteries” still fall short of actually solving for eliminating this non patient centered task from nursing workflow.

Solution: The TAGCarts’ Patented design is an ecosystem whereby omnipresent and existing items in the nurses’ environment of care, are smart, charging carts at all times as needed. Thus completely eliminating the physical, mental, and cognitive task nurses currently have with mobile power systems – and more importantly freeing them up to do more dignified, important, and patient outcome centered tasks.

The winners of the concept design?: Nurses, Patients, Staff, and hospitals.

Currently named the “Power-Anchor Smart Rail™”, the product has successfully completed the “Proof of Concept” phase and entered the “Prototype” phase. The company’s evidence-based design methodology directs toward usability studies and select hospital pilots next. In addition to smart charging, the Power-Anchor Smart Rail also embodies features for seismically anchoring, cart-top / workstation surface wireless charging (handhelds, laptops, & tablets), general “Docking” (physical or virtual), and data transmission for medical carts and workstations.

TAGCarts® has benefited from a plethora of nursing professionals who continue to encourage, support, and participate in their research and development of medical cart solutions for healthcare. Together – they are committed to medical cart design and manufacturing that enables and elevates the nursing community, rather than add remedial tasks with no patient benefit.

About TAGCarts, Inc.

TAGCarts® is a Veteran Owned, California Founder Institute company bringing the medical cart industry into the 21st century with conscientious design and material manufacturing for nurses in healthcare. Based in Sacramento, TAGCarts® mission driven values’ of social responsibility and sustainability in healthcare was honored as Comstock’s Magazine’s “Startup of the Month” and founded by CEO Taggart F. Neal in 2019.

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Early on in the COVID-19 global pandemic, TAGCarts vetted several types of face coverings for procurement and dissemination. While they were not clinical in nature, the intent was to support others when masks were still hard to come by. They partnered with “GEAR’N UP” out of Littleton, Colorado. “Renae and the GEARN’Up Team understood the culture and values underlying our support of nurses with medical cart solutions. While less expensive options were available, she brought us an eco-friendly solution that was an absolute home run with our clientele, and really anyone who received a mask”, says Founder Taggart Neal.

The “Next Level® ECO Face Mask” boasts a 93.6% PFE (Particle Filtration Efficiency) rate which is the highest ratings in Next Level’s cloth mask product line when compared to our CVC and Cotton cloth masks. The Eco Mask is reusable, eco-friendly, and sustainable 2-ply mask made of 70% recycled material. Lightweight, breathable, and super-soft comfort fit for all day wear. Each mask is made using RPET poly from recycled water bottles. Moisture wicking fabrication is washable and breathable. Features a double layer fabric, goes over your ears for secure fit, fits over an N95 mask.

About TAGCarts, Inc.

Based in Sacramento, TAGCarts® is a Veteran Owned, California Founder Institute company established in 2019 by Founder and CEO, Taggart F. Neal. They are bringing innovative design and material manufacturing to the medical cart industry in the 21st century. TAGCarts® mission driven values of social responsibility and sustainability in healthcare was honored with Comstock’s Magazine “Startup of the Month”, in November 2019.

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TAGCarts offers disposable medical equipment

Trevor Skeen Sep 23, 2020

Before the pandemic reshaped businesses around the world, Taggart Neal and John Krueger planned to market their hospital-durable medical equipment. However, the onset of COVID-19 quickly changed those intentions, and the pair unveiled a single-use, biodegradable medical cart stocked with personal protective equipment (PPE) — the HEROCart. 

Neal and Krueger donated 250 HEROCarts to the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS), along with an additional 150 units to the Navajo Nation. These supplies are commonly used at alternative care sites, which the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services documented as a “broad term for any building or structure that is temporarily converted or newly erected for health care use.” 

The reservation spans over certain parts of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, and local hospitals were filled with COVID-19 patients in May. When alternative care sites were established to treat more people, Neal said 500 beds were sometimes limited to just two medical carts. However, the donated HEROCarts were applied to triage testing rooms, swing-bed areas, outpatient clinics, school nursing facilities and a number of other services, which helped to improve these operations.

Neal is the CEO of TAGCarts, a company he launched in February 2019 with Krueger, an economic development specialist who serves as an advisory board member. The designs, prototypes and products are from Sacramento, California, although both business people received degrees from NAU — Neal from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Krueger from the W.A. Franke College of Business. While adjusting their plans from hospital-durable medical equipment to temporary carts was a big change, Neal said it was an easy decision. 

“It may sound cliche, but it wasn’t really a question,” Neal said. “The world was in crisis, and everyone from the governor of California to the president of the United States was asking health care companies to innovate and help.” 

Meanwhile, Krueger described hospitals as environments of care that are designed to be permanent and planned. The temporary nature of alternative care sites, however, can lead to challenges in regularizing patients’ treatment, but HEROCarts may provide an answer.

“Each of those environments has their own specific types of carts,” Krueger said. “Without them, the nurses and the doctors — all the health care providers — have a totally different flow of care. How can we give them [alternative care sites] some of the standardized processes in a manner that’s conducive to the pandemic or to a disaster?”

According to the company’s website, each HEROCart contains a lid, upper tray, three drawers and four swivel casters. Inside the carts, health care professionals can find five N95 masks and 15 pairs of medium, large and extra large gloves. For anyone considering donations, the carts are bundled at $250 each.

An email from Kellie DeMarco Communications, a public relations and media company also based in Sacramento, stated that TAGCarts is unable to share the internal and working costs of its services. However, the expenditures were described as “dynamic and proprietary,” which means that cost, scale and pricing models are subject to additional changes. 

“While an innovative and patent-pending product, the competitive marketplace we participate in prevents us from sharing internal operational costs including manufacturing,” the email stated. “Production is a mere fraction of a traditional medical cart equivalent typically $2-$5k/each.” 

All 150 HEROCarts donated to the Navajo Nation were shipped to Chinle, Arizona, and different areas received distributions thereafter. Neal said the single-use medical carts were used at Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado, Arizona, along with another facility south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Upon receiving its contribution of 250 HEROCarts, AZDHS shared the equipment with a number of counties and tribal lands around the state: Apache, Cocopah, Gila, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, San Carlos and Yavapai among them. Neal also discussed his plans to travel back to Arizona from Sacramento to conduct in-service trainings at various medical facilities applying the company’s product. By carefully working with frontline nurses, doctors and other medical staff, Neal said he can learn more about developing his ideas.

In partnership with PRIDE industries, HEROCarts are assembled by veterans and people with disabilities. While addressing this business model, Neal said “corporate social responsibility” is at the center of TAGCarts’ work, along with the sustainability of its products. 

Neal, Krueger and the other employees at TAGCarts are considering new applications for their single-use medical equipment, but they also want to stay devoted to current investors and business partners. In Yemen specifically, Neal said the 1.3 million people fighting through population displacement could benefit from portable PPE. 

“Additionally, while we move to a ‘for purchase’ revenue model — away from the hundreds we’ve donated — part of our model is to continue to identify and serve communities and populations who may not be readily available to purchase,” the email stated. “If you want a HEROCart, we’re looking for like-minded, forward-thinking healthcare systems to partner with us!”

Both business people attended NAU at the same time, although Neal studied criminal justice and Krueger economics. Additionally, they each worked at restaurants in west Flagstaff — Chili’s and Subway to be specific — but never met each other while working toward undergraduate degrees. They shared their passion for NAU and the greater Flagstaff community. 

“We both have a deep love for Northern Arizona University, Lumberjacks in general and Coconino County and Flagstaff,” Neal said. “John [Krueger] and I are testaments to that.”

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HEROCarts Has Donated Hundreds Of Disposable Bedside Carts to Nurses and Patients

September 29, 2020 by David Coakley

Like most Veteran business owners, Taggart Neal never planned for a global pandemic. But when the coronavirus hit the U.S. earlier this year, the owner of TAGCarts™ pivoted to serve their healthcare clientele on the front-lines and in need.

“A good plan with the right team today is better than a perfect plan next week, “ Neal says, referring to one of his mantras since his days of service in the U.S. Navy.

Neal responded to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s call for healthcare companies to innovate in the face of COVID-19.  Following his service to our country as a Navy Machinist’s Mate, Neal entered the medical industry. In his more than18 years of experience, he has served nurses and the greater healthcare community through medical cart and workstation sales and service. Most recently, he designed the first ever single patient use product family of medical carts. The Sacramento based HEROCarts™ project started in April and hundreds of disposable bedside carts have already been donated to nurses and patients who need them most.

HEROCarts™ are named after real HEROES – the nurses on the frontlines. These lightweight, durable multi-drawer carts on wheels are made out of recyclable paperboard and protect against cross-contamination while providing improved nurse workflow at the point of care. They’re also filled with personal protective equipment.

Neal’s start-up company, TAGCarts™ typically designs and manufacturers medical carts and workstations for hospitals. As the number of coronavirus cases skyrocketed, he immediately identified the void of medical carts and workstations in temporary pop up field hospitals and validated the nurses need for something less permanent to address the environment of care nurses now found themselves in.

The carts are assembled by U.S. Veterans and Americans with disabilities at PRIDE Industries in California. HEROCarts™ have been shipped out to hospitals in California and Arizona and they’re already making a difference. With partnerships ranging from state health departments to PRIDE Industries, HEROCart’s and their kitted PPE are now serving “Alternate Care Sites” and hospitals serving COVID-19 patients.

“I’ve dedicated my career to serving nurses medical carts and workstations that make their heroic jobs easier. Teaming up with U.S. Veterans and Americans with disabilities gives them dignity and honor building TAGCarts which serve to heal Americans in hospitals across the country… it’s a dream come true,” Neal says.

To learn more about the national news publication for U.S. veteran-owned businesses, VetLikeMe.org – please click here.

To learn more about TAGCarts and their single-patient use medical cart, HEROCart – please click here.

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