codes

[rehabhereIcome]

When CPR is taught we kneel on the floor and compress from the side but with a pt in bed do we stand at side or get up on the bed? Dumb I know. But I am serious! Never did a code nor have seen one in action

[APBT mom, LPN, RN]

Depends on the situation. I've seen most codes done with the bed up and staff at the bedside but in some cases (I remember one with a very large patient) they threw someone on the bed to do compressions since they couldn't do them properly by standing bed side.

[rehabhereIcome]

Thanks

[APBT mom, LPN, RN]

Thanks

No problem. I also forgot that some facilites have step stools that you can use so you don't have to get on the bed. They give you that extra four or five inches that you need to do the compressions properly.

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

No problem. I also forgot that some facilites have step stools that you can use so you don't have to get on the bed. They give you that extra four or five inches that you need to do the compressions properly.

We have a step stool in every room for that purpose. They are wonderful.

I have yet to see someone climb on excpet for in the movies, but one time I did have a 400lb + Full Code with Afib/RVR that had me a bit nervouse---

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

I usually teach that if you have a step available then use it to get you in a good position for the compressions, if not then kneel on the bed (taking care not to kneel in any nasties.

[Straydandelion]

Being a little short and no step stool handy, I have had to climb on the edge of the bed in order to get good compressions until someone taller came along

[flightnurse2b, LPN]

i usually kneel on the side of the bed and do compressions, it's easier for me that way. if its a stretcher and its up too high, i'll even get on top of the patient. whichever angle is easiest for me.... the one doing compressions has to be somewhat comfortable, it's freaking exhausting!

[DoeRN]

I have done both. There was a larger patient and I had to jump on the bed to do compressions. But so did everyone else when we took turns. But most of the time I have stood at the side of the bed with the bed in the low position and the bed in cpr mode which helps alot if those types of beds are available along with the cpr board.

[Thornbird]

Yes, definitely, Don't forget to put a CPR board under the patient before doing compressions on a patient in bed.

No question is "dumb", better to ask now than when it happens!

[queenjean]

I'm a shorty, and our old hospital beds don't lower close enough to the ground for me to be able to do adequate compressions, so I climb on to the side of the bed. Our new beds do, but then the pt is too low for bagging and other care. So typically people are on the side of the bed if they are shorter.

[Babs0512]

In the ER, the stretcher are equipped with fold out stools for chest compressions while the stretcher is moving. I once had to get up on the stretcher and straddle the patient while doing CPR - you do whatever you have to do in order to do it properly.