Taking critical patients to tests

BSN16 · Oct 18, 2016

Well generally CT and MRI have code carts nearby, so if needed we could just crack the cart there and use whatever may be needed. The only time that i think this would be beneficial would be for the trip there and back, which for our unit is not very far.

VANurse2010 · Oct 18, 2016

Hello, I am working on a project for my ICU. Currently when we take critical patients to tests such as CT or MRI, we do not take any extra medications or supplies with us. At other facilities that I have worked at, we took with us a tackle box full of ACLS medications and other things. I am trying to create a list of everything that we may need to take with us during these test and was hoping anyone may have some recommendations of what they have or think would be beneficial to have in the "tackle box".
Thank you!

We took a tackle box of supplies, but the only meds we had were two amps - one of epinephrine and one of atropine. I suppose the presumption was that in 3-5 min. a code team could bring a real cart if needing to code a patient in a procedural area.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2016

We pretty much take prn's -- BP meds for those like neurosurg patients that need strict BP control, fentanyl/versed for those not on drips, atropine for those in neurogenic shock and who have had severe bradycardias, or who have otherwise needed it at the bedside. And then chloropreps and NS flushes.

If we need ACLS drugs (except for atropine in those specific cases) we just call a code and start BLS until the team arrives. We wouldn't be running a code solo, and there aren' enough people to stop compressions/bagging until the team gets there anyway.