ED tech role in code situation

Nursing Students Technicians

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What exactly is the role of an ED tech in a code situation? What should I and shouldn't I be doing? Also, any tips would be helpful!

Thanks!

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Specializes in NICU.

Doing chest compressions, maybe ventilate with the AMBU (until RT arrives) or being a runner for supplies. You can't push drugs, start IVs, or use defibrillator, so there isn't much else for you to do.

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

Chest compressions, vital signs, possibly connecting to AED and/or portable tele monitor, getting an EKG, handing nurses and medics supplies such as flushes, shears, needles, tubes, etc.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

From what I've seen, yes to the above, plus restocking the room with supplies. One evening, we ran out of crash cart supplies because we had code after code after code in succession. I noticed the tech restocking the room.

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Another thing you can do as a tech is to get the room ready in advance. For example, if you know that you are going to have a possible arrest coming in via ambulance I would go and get the room ready. I would set up for multiple IV's (we usually try to get two lines in), get a catheter kit ready, cooling pads ready to go and a couple of saline bags spiked and ready to go. Make sure your crash cart is stocked i.e there are cardiac pads, and that you have your EKG machine set up.

Your scope of practice doesn't change during a code, just remember that you are trained to do chest compressions and CPR so be ready to assist.

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We don't have "techs" in our ED. Only paramedics, RNs, residents, and attendings.

There is so little a "tech" can do we don't have them.

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.

Good techs even do things like keep an eye on the monitor and point out changes that they see. I saw a tech identify ROSC by a jump in the ETCO2 and another one who realized the defibrillator was set to the wrong energy level.

Techs can monitor the effectiveness of CPR and generally help keep things organized and structured.

Good techs are a *huge* asset.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, CCU, ED.

Crash cart supplies are not a PCT responsibility, they are the responsibility of the RN when they do their daily logs and checks per shift, regardless of having several codes, the charge RN is supposed to take care of this after each code.

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You can't push drugs, start IVs

I started IV's during codes all the time when I was an ER tech.

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.
I started IV's during codes all the time when I was an ER tech.

When were you a tech? Only paramedics and nurses can start IVs at my hospital

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.
Good techs even do things like keep an eye on the monitor and point out changes that they see. I saw a tech identify ROSC by a jump in the ETCO2 and another one who realized the defibrillator was set to the wrong energy level.

Techs can monitor the effectiveness of CPR and generally help keep things organized and structured.

Good techs are a *huge* asset.

This is a huge point, after doing all the things I am able to do at the beginning of a code, I keep my eye on the monitor to note and relay any changes in rhythm, SPO2, BP and HR

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When were you a tech? Only paramedics and nurses can start IVs at my hospital

Forealz? In my ER techs do IV's more than RNs. I was an ER tech the past 3 years. That's wiggidy whack you can't

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