Help with emergency situations

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Oct 23, 2008

Sometimes the best place for someone who is unsure of the flow of a code is the one with the pen. By recording what's happening you can get a better idea of what is done by whom at what time and in what manner. Of course, you have to be able to concentrate and focus so that you don't miss anything. I've read through code sheets that make me blink... there is so little real information and no detail so who really knows what happened? If the chart went to court, no one would have a leg to stand on. So if you don't think you could catch all the information as it's tossed out, then another role would be better for you. (You should try to read some of the code sheets though, they can be quite educational.)

One job that is always appreciated is drawing up saline flushes! I like to use 20 mL syringes so they can push two drugs before needing a new one. The goal is to get the drug to the patient quickly and if you're pushing epi into a hand vein, it's got a long way to go to get to the heart, so big flushes are the order of the day. Then too, if they have to give meds per ETT, they'll need big flushes there too, so you can't ever have too many!

There is always a need for supplies and equipment that aren't readily available so you could be the runner. As you're collecting the items they ask for, try and figure out why they need them.

Or, if you're a stalwart sort, you could be the liaison with the family. They need someone who can interpret for them and help them understand what's going on, whether they're in the room or not. Even if you aren't completely knowledgeable, you know more than they do. They also need some emotional support.

Finally, you could take ACLS so that you get a grasp of the things that precipitate codes, and what we do about them once they occur.