Emergency Crash Cart Checklist (2010)
YES NO
1. Are the emergency crash cart(s) and emergency bag(s) conveniently
located near the emergency treatment area(s), treatment room(s) for
allergy injections or treadmill stress testing area(s)?
2. Do the emergency crash cart(s) and emergency bag(s) have an
inventory of the medications, equipment and IV fluids that is kept
with the cart(s) or in the emergency bag(s)?
3. Is there an inventory of medications, equipment and IV fluids listed
by the contents of each draw in the cart(s)?
4. Does the inventory of medications and IV fluids contain the name of
the drug, strength of the drug, the amount of drugs and the
expiration date?
5. Is the inventory checked monthly to account for all medications and
IV fluids and to check their expiration dates?
6. Are expired medications replaced prior to the expiration date?
7. Is inventoried equipment checked monthly, i.e. do laryngoscope
batteries working?
8. Is the medication and equipment inventory documentation updated
when changes are made to the emergency cart(s) or bag(s)?
9. Is the emergency crash cart(s) locked or have an integrity seal?
10. When the lock is opened or seal broken is the reason for opening the
cart documented including the date, time, individual’s initials and
new lock or seal number?
11. Is the lock number or integrity seal number documented?
12. Is the defibrillator checked daily?
13. Is the defibrillator check documented daily?
14. Is the written print out of the joules discharged verified with the
digital read out on the monitor?
15. Is there regularly scheduled maintenance program for the
defibrillator in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations?
16. Are all maintenance records maintained in a file that is kept with the
emergency crash cart?
17. Does the routine maintenance include a dated, written record of the
actual 200 J, 300 J and 360 J discharge?
18. Is staff trained in ACLS?
19. Is a copy of the ACLS certification record maintained in the
credentials files?
YES NO
20. Are the emergency crash cart(s) and bag(s) accessible only to
individuals with current ACLS?
21. Are all oxygen tanks secured to the crash cart, wall or in portable
stands?
22. Is the oxygen tank pressure or level of all oxygen tanks checked on a
weekly basis?
23. Does the check documentation include the date, the pressure or level
of oxygen in the tank, and staff initials?
24. Are all tanks serviced on a regular basis?
25. Is service documented?
26. Are quarterly code drills conducted for staff?
27. Are drills evaluated and documented?
28. Are the drill participants provided with performance feedback?
29. Are actual emergency responses evaluated?
30. Are lessons learned from an emergency response discussed openly
with staff?
31. Are process improvement plans implemented to improve the
emergency response process?
Reprinted from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Occupational Health Program,
Washington, DC, which is solely responsible for its content. Reprints are provided for
informational purposes only. The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority is not responsible for the
content of any reprinted materials and encourages all users to consult with their legal counsel regarding
the adequacy of sample policies, procedures, and forms.
More information is available online at http://www.patientsafetyauthority.org.
This checklist accompanies:
Clinical emergency: are you ready in any setting? Pa Patient Saf Advis [online] 2010 Jun
[cited 2010 Jun 1]. Available from Internet: http://www.patientsafetyauthority.org/ADVISORIES/
MS10283
AdvisoryLibrary/2010/Jun7(2)/Pages/52.aspx.
