ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY AND PROCEDURE (APP)

DEPARTMENT: NURSING
TITLE/DESCRIPTION POLICY NUMBER
NURSES ROLE IN CRASH CART MAINTENANCE APP-NRD-053-V5
EFFECTIVE DATE REVISION DUE REPLACES NUMBER NO. OF PAGES
05-07-1440H 05-05-1443H APP-NRD-053-V4 PAGE 1 OF 5
APPROVED BY APPLIES TO
HOSPITAL DIRECTOR BIOMEDICAL, PHARMACIST & NURSING
STAFF

PURPOSE
1. To provide a systematic methods of organizing emergency equipment and mediation for easy
access and use.
2. To identify appropriate drugs used in emergency situations.
3. To provide low voltage, direct current treatment to correct ventricular or atrial arrhythmias to
normal serious rhythm.
DEFINITIONS
Crash cart is an emergency trolley used for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Crash cart maintenance is
a method of keeping unit based crash carts properly supplied, organized and maintained.
RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of the Nurse Leaders, Nursing Quality Management Committee and related
departments to review and monitor the implementation of this said policy for effective compliance by
the Staff Nurses.
POLICY
The policy states that all qualified nursing personnel working in the unit is responsible to use and
maintain the crash cart according to hospital policy.
PROCEDURES
1. Each unit must have a crash cart placed in an easily accessible place.
2. All drawers must be kept locked; integrity of locks to be checked during crash cart checks
and documented with lock number.
3. Crash cart checklists must be reviewed by head nurses on a regular basis, and by the nurse
in- charge every shift.

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 ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY AND PROCEDURE (APP)
DEPARTMENT: NURSING
TITLE/DESCRIPTION POLICY NUMBER
NURSES ROLE IN CRASH CART MAINTENANCE APP-NRD-053-V5
EFFECTIVE DATE REVISION DUE REPLACES NUMBER NO. OF PAGES
05-07-1440H 05-05-1443H APP-NRD-053-V4 PAGE 2 OF 5
APPROVED BY APPLIES TO
HOSPITAL DIRECTOR
4. Identify BIOMEDICAL,
equipment and medication, arrange them according PHARMACIST
hospital policy.& NURSING
STAFF
5. Place emergency cart checklist on outside of cart in visible area. Cart contents are checked
every shift to ensure medications are not outdated and equipment is in working
conditions.
6. Place cart in designated area of each nursing unit. The area needs to be easily accessible and
visible. Provide for less confusion if the cart is needed.
7. Familiarize all personnel with contents of cart, function of equipment and emergency
procedures. All crash carts will be checked as per the following:
7.1 The defibrillator and cardiac monitor shall be checked and appropriately documented for
performance on both battery and electrical current once every 24 hours except when the
unit is closed.
7.2 The defibrillator will remain plugged into an electrical outlet at all times, except during
battery testing.
7.3 The Biomedical Department will be contacted immediately when a defibrillator problem
is detected. A loaner defibrillator shall be obtained from Biomedical Engineering.
7.4 All external contents of cart shall be checked and verification documented once every 24
hours except when the unit is closed. Document when unit/department is closed on the
crash cart log.
8. Check cart every shift and restock immediately after use.
9. If cart is not completely stocked delays can occur during an emergency situation it will be
jeopardizing patient’s care.
10. Do complete documentation on the checklist / logbook. For continuity of care.

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 ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY AND PROCEDURE (APP)
DEPARTMENT: NURSING
TITLE/DESCRIPTION POLICY NUMBER
NURSES ROLE IN CRASH CART MAINTENANCE APP-NRD-053-V5
EFFECTIVE DATE REVISION DUE REPLACES NUMBER NO. OF PAGES
05-07-1440H 05-05-1443H APP-NRD-053-V4 PAGE 3 OF 5
APPROVED BY APPLIES TO
HOSPITAL
11. This DIRECTOR
ensures that all personnel are able toBIOMEDICAL, PHARMACIST
use cart during an & NURSING
emergency situations.
STAFF
12. Portable suction needs to be checked once per shift for adequate function.
13. The pharmacist will check monthly and will refill the emergency medicines every after use.
1. EQUIPMENTSEmergency cart with locking drawers.
2. Emergency cart checklist.
3. Airway equipment.
4. Oxygen equipment.
5. Suction equipment.
6. Monitor leads.
7. Defibrillator.
8. Oscilloscope.
9. IV therapy equipment.
10. Emergency drugs.
11. Intubation set.
Endotracheal tubes different sizes.CROSS-REFERENCESAPP-MS- 002-V2- CODE BLUE
POLICY
1. APP-PHA-007-V2- Crash CartREFERENCESTaylor, C., Lillis, C., Le Mone, p. (4th Ed.)
(2001). Fundamentals of Nursing, The Art
and Science of Nursing Care. USA

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 2. Lippincott ,Williams and Wilkins (6th Edition ) 2008 , Fundamentals of Nursing
3. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. . (8th Ed.) (2006) The Lippincott Manual of Nursing
Practice
1. CBAHI Standards NR-50FORMSDefibrillator Crash Cart Checklist
2. Crash Cart Medicine Request Form
3. In- patient Nursing Unit inspection form

APPROVALS:
Name Position Signature Date

Prepared by Rosalina Sanchez Nurse Quality 03-03-1440H

Coordinator
Reviewed by Fahad Khamis Al Shammari Director of 24-03-1440H
Nursing

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 Reviewed by Saleh Bader Head of 28-03-1440H
Pharmacy Dept.
Reviewed by Methwad Shebrab Biomedical 03-04-1440H
Dept Head
Reviewed by Dr. Emad Kotb Aldin Quality 17-04-1440H
Management
Director
Reviewed by Dr. Mohammad Shams Medical 01-05-1440H
ADMINISTRATIVE
Uddin POLICY AND PROCEDURE (APP)
Director
DEPARTMENT:
Approved By NURSING
Mohammed Mouhedi Al Hospital 04-05-1440H
Najdi
TITLE/DESCRIPTION Director POLICY NUMBER
NURSES ROLE IN CRASH CART MAINTENANCE APP-NRD-053-V5
EFFECTIVE DATE REVISION DUE REPLACES NUMBER NO. OF PAGES
05-07-1440H 05-05-1443H APP-NRD-053-V4 PAGE 5 OF 5
APPROVED BY APPLIES TO
HOSPITAL DIRECTOR BIOMEDICAL, PHARMACIST & NURSING
STAFF

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