Re: what would do you in this kind of situation?
Feel for a pulse (carotid)
Call the code--however that is done in your facility; we push a button which is connected to the operator; Call for help from co-workers to get code cart, initiate rescue breathing & cpr;
We must call the code for all pt's unless there is a LET order (DNR).
In our facility, as 1 person is doing the compressions, we are placing the pads (quick-combo pads). The code team is usually there before the machine begins the analysis; however, if the code team for some reason is delayed, if the machine instructs defibrillation, it is done.
However, I have never seen them this delayed.
Our code team then takes over & we are runners & recorders.
I work in a large, big city, teaching hospital.
Actually, this happened to me just last week. The code that followed was one of our better codes, even tho the pt. didn't make it.
In fact, we only ran the code for the minimum amout of time---10 min. because it was pretty obvious this man was not going to come back.
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