Some of the mandatory items needed for the Crash Cart are the Portable Suction Unit with Canister, Defibrillator with Monitor, Adult Ambu Bag, Pediatric Ambu Bag (if applicable to your center), Portable Ventilator (if applicable to your center), Back Board, E Cylinder O2 securely attached or on a storage rack, Dantrolene (36 vials)-You can store your Dantrolene in the Anesthesia Cart if you prefer, Nu-trake kit, Emergency Drugs and Essentials.
The crash cart should be readily accessible to the PACU and Operating Room, stocked and checked on a regular basis. All professional staff should be in-serviced in the use of emergency equipment, CPR protocol, MH (if using agents that trigger Malignant Hyperthermia) and supplies applicable to your environment.
When administering emergency drugs please refer to the latest ACLS Emergency Drugs, Indications and Dosages. Some of the medications you should include in your stock are Epinephrine, Atropine, Lidocaine, Adenosine, Amiodarone, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate and Naloxone. The Essentials you will need are various sizes of syringes, IV’s, needles, oral airways, Endotracheal tubes and Laryngeal masks. Make sure you use labels on the outside of the crash cart to identify what is inside the drawers and don’t forget identify for look-alike sound-alike medication on the inside of the cart.
PLEASE NOTE THE ABOVE REFERENCED IS NOT THE COMPLETE LIST. Work with your medical supply company when ordering crash cart essentials and emergency medications to assist you in setting up your PAR levels. All items must be documented in the form of an inventory check list with noted expiration dates. All emergency equipment attached to the crash cart must be checked for proper operation each procedure day. Once items have been checked you must lock the crash cart. Use the tear away lock and record the Identification Number on your inventory sheet.
Here’s to your success,
NB