i just got hired as 11-7 charge nurse in a ltc facility. as the don was giving me a tour of the building during my interview, she said that if a patient is a full code and codes, and we start cpr and get hold of the doctor and they don't respond to any meds, that i have the authority to stop the code. i need to ask her about this, i know, but right now i am questioning it. i thought, if someone is a code, even if you come upon them stiff and cold you code them. i don't think i would feel comfortable stopping a code. i think i would code them and call the ambulance and let them get to er where there is a doctor and let him make the decision. does this sound hinky to you all?

You might tell her there were some things about that you were unclear on, and ask her to show you the NH Policy & Procedure book. The official policy should be in there.

This sounds odd to me, I agree that I would call an ambulance, I would make sure code status's on all patients are up to date and possible rewrite the policy. Does your facility have a defibrillator and all code drugs?

As far as I know they have a crash cart and backboard but no defib.

The facility I work at has a crash cart with no drug or defib. Our job is to start CPR and activate EMS. Our policy is that if a person is a code and we find them stiff and blue, no CPR is started. Get a clearer look at your policy. I might add that EMS is right beside our building so they are there in a flash!!