Code in the OR... What is the Nurses Role?

i will be starting as a brand new nurse and landed my dream job and will be starting in the or next week!!

one question i have is what is the nurses role during a code in the or? does it vary per facility?

thanks everyone!

first - congratulations! welcome to a whole new world!

as for your question, from what i've seen in several institutions, yes, it can vary somewhat according to institutional policy, and this information will be available to you in the department policy and procedure manual, or something similar. this will most definitely be part of your orientation program, so make sure you know where it is kept. it's my understanding the assisting the anesthesiologist and/or documentation of the code are going to be your primary roles.

best wishes on your new endeavors!

In most facilities, if you are the assgned circ, you document. If you're the scrub, you protect your field in case it's needed.

If you respond from the halls, etc- grab the code cart if you are anywhere near it. I've seen time the emergency alarm rings, 12 people show up in the room to "help" and there is no code cart! Ours is kept between the front desk and any room so there is really no excuse for that. The difficult intubation cart may be needed, too.

Know how your facility's cart is set up- where meds, lab tubes, fluids are. Know where to grab an extra ETT if it's needed.

Know how your defib works- mono or biphasic? Does your OR/anesth staff prefer paddles to pads? Are the internals on the cart?

Responding from another room might mean you run, pull meds from the cart, do compressions, set/push defib buttons, push meds depending on staffing. Usually we have enough anesth staff to handle meds and of course airway and venting. An anesth person will be team leader. Know who to listen to if there is a power play. Unfortunately, it can happen.