PAGE 2

Page 2

Assigned Rapid Responders will report to patient room SKaras/2007 Who are the Rapid Responders? Registered Nurse (Critical Care Services staff nurse, Clinical Nurse Manager or Charge Nurse, Nursing Supervisor) Respiratory Therapist Designated Intern Roles and Responsibilities Rapid Response Registered Nurse o Arrive with tool kit o Function as a team leader in the absence of physician o Remain at bedside until patient is stabilized or transferred to appropriate level of care o Follow up visits 4 hours after the call for all patients not transferred to the ICU/CCU or 2C/N o Document on Rapid Response documentation form Respiratory Therapist o Arrive with tool kit o Function as part of the team regarding respiratory issues  Intern o Team leader Bedside Nurse o Obtain manual vital signs o Print labs o Glucometer at bedside o Provide current situation/medical background of patient o Remain at bedside to care for patient Unit Secretary o Dial “3333” and state, “Rapid Response needed in room number."Print Rapid Response Progress note Rapid Response in not used in Lieu of: Code blue procedure for cardiopulmonary arrest  Formal or informal critical care consult when indicated  Perform routine admission, discharge, transfer, transport functions or IV start Exclusions to the Program Emergency Department  ICU/CCU Operating Room  PACU OB/Nursery with the exception of Post-Partum Initiating a Code Blue Code Blue refers to a patient in cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, or any emergency situation that require resuscitation and intervention. Patient survival and positive outcomes depend on rapid assessment of the situation and initiation of basic and advanced life support measures. The first person to recognize that a patient has arrested should:  Call for help from team members  Dial 3333 and state “code blue on __________ (nursing unit)” or delegate someone to call a code. The code will be announced overhead and a message will be sent to all designated pagers.  Begin CPR immediately  Staff members will assist by:  Obtaining crash cart/defibrillator and immediately bring to the patient’s bedside  Place backboard under the patient as soon as possible to provide a hard, level surface for chest compressions thus will increase cardiac output  Retrieve ambu bag, which is located in the RED box on bottom of the crash cart and provide ventilations  Apply electrodes and lead wires to patients chest as follows:  RA electrode (white) is applied to the right shoulder close to the junction of the right arm and torso.  LA electrode (black) is applied to the left shoulder close to the junction of the left arm and torso.  LL electrode (red) is applied below the heart in the abdominal region.  Monitor patient and EKG tracing  Placement of #18 or #20 gauge IV catheter may be necessary. If a central line is required, the kit is located in the 3rd drawer of the crash cart. Barrier devices are located in the supply pyxis and/or drawer 3 of the crash cart: sterile towels and gloves face shields, gowns, and cap.