Patent ID: 7694684

Claim:
A method for facilitating the performance of a medical examination of a patient occupying a bed using a movable cart having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a storage compartment, at least one door member moveably mounted to the cart for at least partially covering the storage compartment, first and second foot supports projecting generally upwardly from the cart, and a support member movably attached to the cart, said method comprising: moving the cart such that the first edge thereof is positioned proximate to the bed and the second edge is positioned distal to the bed; extending the support member from the cart such that the support member rests on a top surface of the bed; positioning the patient such that at least a portion of the patient's torso rests on the support member and the patient's feet rest on the first and second foot supports, respectively; and performing a medical examination of the patient from a location alongside the second edge of the cart while the patient is positioned such that at least a portion of the patient's torso rests on the support member and the patient's feet rest on the first and second foot supports, respectively.