A crash cart, also called a resuscitation or “code cart,” is a specialized, mobile unit containing the medications, equipment, and supplies needed to manage immediate life-threatening medical emergencies. Its purpose is to deliver organized resources quickly to a patient experiencing conditions like cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. The contents support advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocols, ensuring healthcare providers can initiate swift and effective interventions. The cart’s readiness is vital for patient safety, as a missing item or malfunctioning device can introduce a delay that impacts the chance of survival during a crisis.
Required Frequency for Routine Checks
Maintaining crash cart readiness requires checks to occur at least daily, though many institutions implement more frequent inspections. The daily check is the baseline requirement to ensure the cart is fully stocked, properly located, and prepared for immediate use. This protocol acknowledges that items can be inadvertently removed or misplaced over a 24-hour period.
In addition to the daily inspection, a check is often performed at every shift change, translating to two or three times daily depending on the facility’s scheduling. Shift-change checks transfer accountability from the departing staff to the incoming team, minimizing the window of time the cart could be deficient. A full inventory and equipment check is also necessary immediately after the cart has been used in an emergency response, ensuring it is restocked and sealed before the next potential emergency.
Components of a Thorough Cart Inspection
A proper crash cart inspection is a systematic, detailed procedure that goes beyond a simple visual confirmation. The inspection must cover three distinct areas: checking medications and supplies, verifying equipment function, and confirming the cart’s structural integrity. This comprehensive approach prevents failures across all facets of the emergency response process.
The medication and supply check involves a meticulous review of expiration dates for every drug and disposable item. Medications, including epinephrine, atropine, amiodarone, defibrillation pads, and intravenous fluids, must be confirmed to have adequate shelf life. Expired items must be promptly removed and replaced. This check also verifies that the correct quantity of each item is present and that supplies are organized according to the established institutional standard.
Verifying equipment function focuses specifically on devices that require power. The defibrillator must be confirmed to be fully charged and operational, often involving a self-test or simulated energy delivery check according to manufacturer’s instructions. The portable suction device must be tested for proper function, and the oxygen tank pressure must be checked to ensure an adequate supply. These checks confirm that all necessary components are ready to perform under stress.
Sealing, Logging, and Staff Accountability
Following a complete inspection or restock after use, a new security seal must be applied to the crash cart to ensure its contents remain untouched until the next required check. These seals, often plastic break-away tags with unique identifying numbers, provide instant visual proof that the cart has not been accessed or tampered with. The presence of an intact, numbered seal allows staff to confirm the cart’s readiness without performing a full inventory check.
The process is formally completed through meticulous documentation on a designated log sheet or electronic record. This log captures the date and time of the check, the specific number of the new security seal applied, and the printed name and signature of the staff member who performed the inspection. Nursing staff, typically registered nurses or trained technicians, are assigned responsibility for performing and signing off on these checks. This administrative step creates an auditable trail, establishing clear staff accountability for the cart’s readiness and compliance.