Pediatric Community

Hi everyone, 

I am wondering if anyone has any ideas they can offer for things that work well in their units to ensure carts are stocked and checked regularly. What kind of system do you use? How do you ensure people are compliant with their checks?

For example: my unit has instituted monthly cart checks but they are seldom completed. There are daily checks of resuscitation equipment such as our peds and code carts, and these are: When is the first item to expire? What is the cart number? Is it locked? We recently had what could have been a bad scenario, there was a sick kiddo and what was needed was not in the cart, even though it was locked- causing panic and time wasted chasing supplies. 

Any guidance would be super helpful!

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Madisyn Kephart BSN;RN
Registered Nurse
Wisconsin State Council
Eau Claire WI
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Curious as well! 

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Josephina K Kik
BSN RN CPEN
Grand Rapids, MI
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Hello,

For my hospital it really comes down to having very specific roles assigned to check carts and having those individuals held accountable.

Our Trauma/Resuscitation rooms are checked and restocked by the charge each shift, and a clipboard is filled out for things. If something is missing it is replaced at that time, and if the clipboard isn't filled out then a message is sent to the manager. The RN isn't responsible for the personal things, but if things are missing or not done the manager is expected to follow up with that charge. 
Our RTs have a similar process for the equipment they are responsible for (vents in the Trauma/Resus rooms, LUCAS, etc). 

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Elizabeth Leming BSN;BA;CCRN
Clinical Practice Specialist
Children's Minnesota
Minneapolis MN
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