Crash Cart

[pat8585]

I read on here not too long ago that someone worked in emergency and during person's heart attack or whatever, the crash cart was found to be UNSTOCKED!

I was wondering if this is common (hopefully not) and what you would do as an employee if this happened on your shift.

I assume the person responsible for stocking the crash cart could be terminated?

[TazziRN, RN]

It is not common and should not be tolerated. If I found the cart unstocked but didn't know until I needed it, then I would be the one in trouble because the cart should be checked every shift. Some places do not require the drawers be opened if the lock number is the same as the last time it was signed off, but others require the locks be broken every shift and each drawer checked, then relocked.

[Dixielee, BSN, RN]

In our hospital, as soon as the need for the cart is over (post code), it is immediately taken to central supply and a new cart is obtained. It is left locked until needed again. The airway bag is kept on top of the cart and checked each shift by the nurse responsible for that area. That way everyone is always knowledgable as to what is on the airway bag and the cart is fully stocked.

[Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN]

When we had a code, I ran to get the cart for the nurse. Although there were signs EVERYWHERE stating not to store items near the cart, still, there were broken chairs, etc. that I had to get through. After getting the cart to the nurse and getting the cuff and ox-sat on the pt., the nurse discovered there was no cannula on the cart and I had to run to a different department for that too. Please, folks, don't try to store stuff around the cart - even for one night. Geez.

[NJNursing, ASN, RN]

During a code in maternity we had no epinephrine in our code cart which caused valuable minutes to tick while I ran to a pyxis for a couple of boxes. It was the only time during a code (on any floor) that I've attended that didn't have the proper stock. The meds are stocked strictly by pharmacy and locked by them, so it was their error.

Now on the ortho floor, the day CC checkes the code carts daily, but we don't break the locks to do it, only check the serials as previously posted. All "hands on" available equipment that isn't locked it tested daily for function.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

the hospitals I worked at in the UK it was a mandatory thing that the chart was checked and stocked weekly and changing anything that was out of date (didn't happen often) the defib was checked on each shift and drugs was kept in their own box and once used was returned to pharmacy (even if not all drugs used) and another was replaced immediately. Always 2 boxes kept on the trolley

[NorthpoleRN]

It would be a scary thing to not have a code cart ready when you need it. I certainly hope this doesn't happen often anywhere! At my facility, usually the charge nurse is responsible at the beginning of each shift to make sure the cart is ready. Any trained staff member can do the code cart check. It's a big relief to know at the beginning of your shift that in case of emergency, you have what you need.

[CVICURN2003]

All of our code carts are checked q shift. We have two seperate locks, one for the drug drawer and one for the supplies drawer. If at anytime either one is broken our central supply and pharmacy come and check and restock our drawers. If there is a cart in a room for an unstable/constantly coding patient, the med drawer is restocked prn (by then we usually have an epi gtt hanging..you know the drill) and the cart is only there for the defib and/or pacing. Our problem is people take the ambu bags off the top of the cart. We solved that problem by when we set up the room, everyone has to have an ambu bag at bedside. It only takes one time for you not to have an ambu bag when u need it (and have to have someone run) to check it out in your initial survey/assess of the room. But, I can imagine if the code cart was unstocked the liability issues would be huge. Hopefully another would be close by. In our 20 bed ICU we have 6 code carts and two open chest carts. Which we use on avg about 3-4 a week. So, our charge nurse religously checks them.

[blueheaven]

Our carts are checked q shift. After breaking the seal on the cart, we are required to get a new one from central supply. If it is after hours, then the nursing supervisor has to obtain a new one for us. In our unit we have ambu bags in every room. If we have a pt bradying down I may get a couple of amps of Atropine out of the med room and "keep 'em handy" so I don't have to run to get it, or I will get the intubation kit and set it outside the room if it looks like someone is going to need a tube. Better ready!