I'm very disturbed by this

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Found out that one of my coworkers was involved in her very first code blue. She is a relatively new nurse. When she called the code, the manager ran in, while a CNA grabbed the crash cart. Instead of waiting for the crashcart to arrive, the coworker gave the 85yo man (a cancer patient) 2 rescue breaths....without a mask on. The manager did not stop her, in fact, I heard she praised her....since nurses are supposed to do whatever it takes to protect their patient.

Call me what you want, but there is no way I am putting my mouth against my patients mouth wihout a mask on. Protect my patients, yes.... but I come first, too. This man was undergoing chemo, chances are, like many chemo patients, he had fungal infections in his mouth. I am very disturbed that out manager didn't intervene. If it was too late for her to intervene, she should have had a big discussion with her, and possibly write up a incident report.

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Specializes in mental health, military nursing.

I would be more concerned with the patient's health - if he's immunosuppressed, she just put him at risk (without any added benefit to the code process). It's not like 15 seconds makes that big of a difference. Live and learn on the new grad's part, and the nursing manager should be helping set priorities.

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

The new nurse panicked and did the best she could. She's probably rethinking that too. Give her support for quick action, but suggest that next time she should reconsider. Just try not to beat her up when it was probably really traumatic for her.

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I agree with the above post for sure. After all it is the first thing we learn in cpr....she must be a caring person- the sort we want as a nurse. Praise her for her dedication- teach with with good direction.

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Specializes in ER, L&D, ICU, LTC, HH.

Back before there were pocket mask. I did CPR on an elderly lady that aspirated in my mouth. On post she was eat up with TB. I ended up with a terrible case of TB. I was fairly new and would have moved heaven and earth to help thid 74 y/f who had been raped and beat up. I am so thankful we have pocket mask now. Everyone please use them.

Love

~Willow

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The new nurse panicked and did the best she could. She's probably rethinking that too. Give her support for quick action, but suggest that next time she should reconsider. Just try not to beat her up when it was probably really traumatic for her.

Excellent advice.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Since new evidence shows that the "A" part of "ABCs" is not as important as defibrillation/CPR, there's no way in heck I'd ever give mouth-to-mouth on a patient or a stranger. If it was outside the hospital, I'd do all the compressions in the world until someone found an AED or EMS arrived... but definitely not worth risking my own well being for something that probably won't help much anyway!

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Specializes in Emergency, CCU, SNF.

She did something...which is far better than doing nothing at all. Granted, she should have used a mask, but we've all done things in an emergency that could make others cringe.

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Well, maybe there is something to be said for carrying a pocket mask on your person. Knowing me, I would panic and still forget to use it.

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Specializes in orthopedics, trauma/ acute surgical.

I've worked in trauma for the last 8 years, so I like to think that I'm cool under pressure; however, a few years ago, one of my patients went into respiratory arrest and my NA managed to tilt the crash cart, kicking and spilling a urinal at the same time, contaminating the unit. I freaked out when I saw what he did, as he managed to make a very complex obstacle course between me, my patient, and the rest of my help. I ended up giving mouth to mouth resucitation for a minute until the proper equipment was handed to me. I realized what that meant to me and the patient in regards of potential health problems, but if I were to be on his position, I would expect my nurse to do whatever is necessary to keep me alive. I don't regret what I did, it seemed an acceptable choice in this situation. However, it doesn't mean that I'll do it again. So be supportive, I'd hate to work with someone that would rather just stand there instead of acting.

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During times of intense anxiety/stress people do things they normally would not....just saying....

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

OMG - I remember when we did all sorts of things without gloves, let alone masks!!! I carried a pocket mask around with me for years and never had the occassion to use it.

Raindrop - if one of your loved ones need CPR, I hope someone will do what needs to be done - even mouth-to-mouth - without waiting for the proper equipment. If they go to ground in front of me, I will be there to help.

I wear gloves now, BTW, whenever necessary. But I recall years of being on an IV team before gloves were mandated, even doing dialysis before 'universal precautions' was instituted. And I'm still alive!!! 35 years of nursing, mainly in direct patient care. :)

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