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Chapter 11 Clinical Techniques 215

Maintenance of Crash Cart Kit or The accessibility of the crash cart or emergency station
Emergency Station is important. It should be centrally located within the
clinic. In some instances, the ideal area is where anesthesia
is induced. Many of the same supplies and equipment are
One of the primary functions of the assistant to used in this area that are also needed in times of an
emergency support is to maintain the facility’s crash cart emergency. Access to oxygen is an absolute necessity for
or emergency station. It is vital that the crash kit and flow‐by oxygen, manual ambu bags, or ventilators. Some
emergency station be organized and stocked with cur- clinics will have an E tank of oxygen on a small wheeled
rently dated materials. All items are to be in their cart that can be rolled to any location within the clinic.
designated places and all equipment batteries charged Other items such as clippers, endotracheal tubes, oxygen
and ready for use. Establish a weekly routine for checking masks, and assortment of fluids are just the essentials.
and changing out the emergency supplies and equip- Emergency drugs are also needed in the crash cart
ment (Figure 11.49). and because they don’t get used as often it is a good idea
If materials and equipment are taken from the cart or
station during emergency treatments, they must be to check them on a weekly basis for outdates. If outdat-
ing soon, see if it can’t be moved into the active use
immediately restocked or cleaned and returned to the inventory and be replaced with a new bottle. Speak to
cart or station. When an emergency arises every second the inventory manager about this concern. There are
counts and there mustn’t be time lost trying to locate usually charts with the drugs listed with dosages for the
supplies or dealing with equipment failure. A checklist various emergencies. The veterinarians will use these to
of required supplies can be drawn up if not already in double check the dosages before administering the med-
place. Use this to make sure no item is missed when ications. If you are asked to draw up a medication, don’t
restocking the crash cart or emergency station.
let the rush of the moment deter you from checking the
label at least twice to make sure you have the correct
medication. Even repeating the medication name and
dose out loud will confirm that you have the right one.
Also show someone else the syringe once it is filled to
confirm dose.
Sterile packs that may be required are towel packs,
suture pack, and an assortment of suture materials. Other
instrumentation may include a defibrillator, monitor for
ECG, capnograph, pulse oximeter, and BP monitor.
Emergency phone numbers should be included in
the crash kit or emergency station: ASPCA Poison
Control, Blood Bank, Disaster and Emergency Response
hotlines. Include local numbers that may be helpful dur-
ing an emergency like local poison control, non‐
emergency sheriff or police departments, diagnostic
laboratories, and so on.
When assisting with an emergency remember these
acronyms: LARK: listen actively, anticipate needs,
respond quickly, and know what you are doing. A CRASH
PLAN is utilized by the veterinarian and technician when
first presented with the patient. These are the things
they will assess first to last and include: airway, cardiovas-
cular, respiratory, abdomen, spine, head, pelvis, limbs,
arteries/veins, nerves.