Issue:

Take a close look at your organization&#;s crash carts. Are they ready for a life-threatening emergency? Many crash carts (also called emergency carts/bags/boxes) have hidden issues that could contribute to patient safety events. 

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While much of the literature on crash cart-related safety events is about medication errors, this issue of Quick Safety will focus on ensuring that the crash cart is ready for the next life-threatening emergency &#; whether it is happening to a patient, staff member or visitor. In a 12-month data review of , the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority identified 56 reports that highlighted emergency or rapid response situations in which supplies or equipment were missing or outdated. Of the 56 reports, 35 referenced issues with crash carts and 21 referenced issues with missing supplies or malfunctioning equipment during an emergency situation.1

 

Contributing factors to patient safety events related to crash carts include, but are not limited to:

• Medication errors and mix-ups
• Missing, expired, damaged, contaminated, and unavailable equipment or medications
• Empty oxygen tanks
• Drained batteries on equipment or equipment failure
• Unsecured carts or carts that have been tampered with
• Carts secured with heavy duty tape and/or padlocks, preventing immediate access
• Incorrect size of equipment
• Carts not checked or inspected according to policy and procedure
• Staff is unable to locate the crash cart, resulting in a delay getting emergency equipment to the bedside
• Staff is unfamiliar with the items regularly stored within the crash cart
• Staff is unfamiliar with the procedures for using the crash cart when responding to a life-threatening emergency
• Staff is unfamiliar with procedures regarding how to stock or restock the crash cart

 

Some of these issues may appear minor, but alone or in combination, they may produce delays in providing care, thereby creating a patient safety risk. By improving the efficiency and reliability of the crash cart, and preventing unnecessary delays, you can improve patient outcomes following a crisis event.1

Some innovative strategies implemented at other organizations

Below are two examples of electronic solutions that have been successfully implemented to keep crash carts ready for the next emergency; the Safety Actions section provides solutions that are not reliant on technology. One large hospital developed a web-based crash-cart tracking system.1 In addition to replacing paper logs on each crash cart, this system:

• Enables the nursing management team to remotely track and monitor which department or units in the hospital checked their crash carts.
• Each month, alerts staff to any item near its expiration date, prompting the appropriate departments to change the medicines and supplies.
• Sends the management team three notifications daily, beginning at noon, of which carts have and have not been checked.
• Helps to identify the clinical areas where there are opportunities for improvement.

 

Also, in a study conducted in by the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (United Kingdom), three hospitals implemented a sealed tray system and database that improved equipment availability traceability and standardization.2 Most notably, they:

• Reduced complexity through equipment standardization and simplification of the trolley (i.e., cart) checking process by reducing cart items that required checking from 108 to 28.
• Through the sealed tray system, prevented clinicians &#;borrowing&#; emergency equipment and made storage of surplus equipment obvious.

 

The design includes three trays: basic airway; advanced airway; and intravenous (IV) access/circulation equipment. Each piece of equipment is scanned by the database system and then placed in the tray. The system logs the equipment placed in the tray, and prints the tray label once all items are present. The tray label seals the tray, and lists the tray&#;s unique identification number, its contents, and the shortest expiry data of tray equipment. Each tray is inserted into a drawer in the resuscitation cart. The database system tracks trays in and out of a central point on each hospital site, and it records item batch numbers and expiry dates.2

Safety Actions to Consider:

Medical emergencies have the tendency to create an uneasiness and a sense of chaos during the event. These feelings may be magnified if the emergency equipment used to rescue the patient is not readily available. The intent of a crash cart is to ensure that the correct emergency equipment, medications and supplies are readily available to manage the emergency.1

 

Start with a risk assessment: Identify the risk points; drill down to find the issues and where they originated. Risk points can include:

• Staff training and educational needs

  --Identify who responds; ensure that the staff person has appropriate education and training1

  --Identify who checks the crash cart and how frequently it is checked (e.g., daily, once per shift, once during hours of operation) (per policy or written plan)

  --Identify who checks emergency equipment (per policy or written plan)1

• Location of crash carts

  --Maintain the cart in a location that is easily accessible to the clinical areas1

  --Make sure staff know where and how the cart and/or emergency equipment is stored

• Contents of the crash carts

  --Clearly arrange drugs in the medication drawer so that they are easy to locate and the names are clearly visible (or clearly labeled and visible).3

  --Segregate and clearly label pediatric medications. Plastic bags can be used to separate the pediatric drugs from other medications. Label the outside of the drawers that house pediatric drugs.3

  --Keep references handy, particularly for medications and proper medication dosages for pediatric emergencies3

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  --Determine who restocks or replaces emergency equipment and medications in the cart

  --Create a process for restocking and replacing the contents of the cart

  --Communicate the crash cart restocking and/or replacement process to all applicable clinical staff

 

Evaluating and mitigating risk: Monitor or capture data related to specific issues identified as contributing factors to unsafe incidents concerning crash carts and emergency equipment (see list above). The contributing factors can help focus your improvement efforts. As these contributing factors arise, evaluate and analyze the risks independently and collectively to determine the best solution for the issue.

Taking action and sustaining improvements:

• Develop your plan of action, implement it, and continuously reassess, and revise to ensure that your crash carts and staff are ready for life-threatening medical emergencies.

  --At a minimum, the written plan addresses equipment, supplies, medications, inventory management, emergency protocols, training and competency of staff, emergency drills and/or simulation exercises, and assignment of responsibility for continued oversights of the process.1

• Determine which items are needed for the specific clinical area and who needs to be involved in the selection process (e.g., hospital administration, pharmacy, central supply).1
• As required, conduct continuing education and training, which can include mock codes and/or crash cart training events.1

 

In many hospitals, the crash cart may be stocked and replenished by another department, such as the pharmacy or central supply. If this is the case, representatives from these areas should be involved in the needs assessment and be included as part of the written plan.1

Resources:

1. Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority: Clinical Emergency: Are You Ready in Any Setting? Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory, June ;7(2)52-60.
2. M Davies, et al: A Simple Solution for Improving Reliability of Cardiac Arrest Equipment Provision in Hospital. Resuscitation, (85)-.
3. S Sones: Is Your Code Cart Ready? Outpatient Surgery, October .

 

Other resources

• AM Pearson, et al: Crash Cart Drug Drawer Layout and Design. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 56th Annual Meeting . Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Inc.
• Are You Ready for an Emergency? Don&#;t Get Caught Unprepared. Same-Day Surgery, September ;34(9)97-101.

Note: This is not an all-inclusive list.

Legal disclaimer: This material is meant as an information piece only; it is not a standard or a Sentinel Event Alert. The intent of Quick Safety is to raise awareness and to be helpful to Joint Commission-accredited organizations.  The information in this publication is derived from actual events that occur in health care.

©The Joint Commission, Division of Health Care Improvement

Hospital Crash Carts: An Overview

In a medical emergency, time is of the essence, which is why every hospital needs fully stocked and well-organized crash carts. A crash cart, also called an emergency cart or a code cart, is a portable wheeled cabinet that contains all the necessary equipment and medications used during critical care situations. A crash cart can help save a life in an emergency, so it&#;s crucial that they are always well-stocked and ready to go.  

What is in a Hospital Crash Cart?

Every hospital crash cart needs to have specific equipment and medications ready for use in case of an emergency. The contents of a crash cart may vary from institution to institution, but some commonly stocked items include:   

• Airway Management Tools are devices and techniques used by healthcare professionals to establish and maintain a patient's airway during medical procedures or in emergency situations. These tools, such as endotracheal tubes and laryngoscopes, ensure that the patient can breathe adequately and receive oxygenation effectively. 
• Cardiac Management Equipment refers to the devices and tools used to diagnose, monitor, and treat various cardiac conditions such as defibrillators, ECG monitors, and electrodes. This equipment helps healthcare professionals assess the heart's function, detect abnormalities, and provide appropriate interventions.
• Medications and Medication Equipment may vary based on the specific protocols and guidelines of each healthcare facility.
• Resuscitation Tools are devices used to assist in the process of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the resuscitation of patients who are in cardiac arrest or experiencing respiratory distress. These tools help maintain airway patency, provide ventilation support, and facilitate effective chest compressions. 
• Vascular Access Supplies are medical devices and equipment, such as IV catheters, syringes, and saline flush. They are used to establish access to a patient's blood vessels for the purpose of delivering fluids, administering medication, or performing diagnostic procedures.   

How is a Crash Cart Organized?

Since time is of the essence in an emergency, organizing a crash cart is just as important as making sure it is fully stocked. To save time, the cart should be organized according to the tasks that need to be done during a medical emergency.  All items should be clearly labeled, and the cart should be checked on a regular basis to ensure that all supplies are up-to-date and not expired. This approach minimizes response time and optimizes the overall workflow, enabling healthcare providers to deliver the highest standard of medical assistance in critical situations. 

How Many Crash Carts Should a Hospital Have?

The number of crash carts a hospital should have depends on the hospital&#;s size and patient population. Smaller hospitals with fewer beds may only need a few crash carts, while larger hospitals with more patients may need many. It&#;s also important to note that crash carts should be strategically placed throughout the hospital, so they can be quickly accessed during an emergency.  

How Often Should Hospital Crash Carts Be Checked?

Regularly checking and maintaining your hospital crash cart is crucial for ensuring preparedness in emergency situations. Proper maintenance ensures that all necessary equipment and supplies are readily available, functional, and within their expiration dates, allowing healthcare providers to respond quickly and effectively when every second counts.   

Medical instruments should always be sterilized, hygienic, and ready to use in an emergency. As such, according to regulatory guidelines, hospital crash carts should be checked at least once every month. Hospitals should also have a crash cart standard operating procedure in place, specifying how often the carts must be checked, stocked, and maintained. For further details on this topic, visit The Importance of Regular Medical Cart Inspections. 

In life-threatening situations, having quick access to the proper equipment and supplies is essential. Crash carts, when properly maintained and stocked, can help improve efficiency and facilitate better outcomes in an emergency.  

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