mock codes

[jltaylor]

I'm new to the whole education arena and was wondering if anyone could help. How do I need to go about setting up a mock code for our facility? To my knowledge, one has never been done. Nursing is less than enthusiastic about anything educational....HELP!!!

[bobnurse]

I'm new to the whole education arena and was wondering if anyone could help. How do I need to go about setting up a mock code for our facility? To my knowledge, one has never been done. Nursing is less than enthusiastic about anything educational....HELP!!!

we do our mock codes monthly.........We do them as realisticly as possible. We have a ALS manikin that we set up with an IV.....Its an IV arm, and we hooked up the tubing to a foley for drainage....We have a mock drug drawer that we used expired drugs in.. The nurses actually give the drugs!

We call the mock code and the staff resuscitates the manikin as if it were a real person........Airway mangagment (Intubaiton or combitube), IV Meds, Defib, and management.........

We also have a mock chart made up with mock labs and etc......So if they ask, we give them the chart for Diff Diagnosis........

I personally believe, you perform how you practice.

[talaxandra]

We used to run mock codes on a semi-regular basis (for some reason admin seems to be complacent about it, but I want to reinstitute them). We ran them like bobnurse described, only our versions weren't quite as elaborate (drugs etc).

Now that we have a MET call system, many of the staff haven't had much recent experience with a full code. I really believe that drills like this not only helps team cohesion and learning, but also make the staff feel more confident and better equipped to handle the real thing.

Good luck with your efforts to implement mock codes :)

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

our codes are similar to what they do in ACLS classes, using a mannikin. We have found our weak areas to be proper documentation and knowing where to find things. This led to uniform equipment and carts so that even float nurses could find what they are looking for. People have to practice the paperwork too, so don't overlook that. All codes are sentinel events and our quality assurance nurse is involved in making sure our practices meet JCAHO standards. You will want a list of people qualified to do the check-offs. Whoever handles ACLS and BLS instruction will probably have that list. Don't forget evaluations after the codes. We learn a lot about how to do it better the next time.