code cart policies

[markduro]

We have recently taken over the codecart replenishment process in our facility. We are experiencing difficulties with our processes which involve CS, Pharmacy and nursing. Could anyone share with me their process from the time a cart is used to the time a replacement cart is in place for a given area. Any thoughts,comments or current policies would be appreciated.

[harvj]

Code carts are brought to sterile processing decontam by materials people after the carts are opened.
We clean the cart's exterior and interior surfaces, steam the wheels and roll to the clean area. We restock all missing items and if the meds drawer seal is broken, take it to pharmacy to be stocked and resealed.
If the med drawer seal is intact, we take it back to materials and they take the cart back to it's assigned location.

[Diane]

Our carts are brought to Central Processing, we restock our items and then it goes to Pharmacy. When they are finished with it they take it where it needs to go. We use to have an exchange cart in our department. We would take that one to where which ever the department had the code and bring back the used one, restock, take it to pharmacy and they would bring it back to us.

[niteowl]

At our Hospital we exchange carts. There are (7) Adult Carts and (2) Pediatric carts stationed in CS for immediate exchange at all times. At the conclusion of a code the unit clerk brings the cart down to CS for a replenished cart. We decontaminate the carts, exchange used drug trays and replenish the cart based on a checklist. The checklist was created by our CPR Committee. Any changes must be approved by the CPR committee before implementation.
The checklist provides an important guide for replenishing. Our checklist is integrated into our ABACUS system.
The ABACUS system records every process from decontamination to distribution including the tech that performed each task. Feel free to contact the CS Manager at 718-604-5000 extension 3211 if you have any questions.