By Akilah Dressekie, Communications Specialist, Rouge Valley Health System
September 1, 2011

When a code pink — paediatric cardiac arrest — is called at Rouge Valley Health System, a team of nurses, paediatricians and respiratory therapists immediately spring into action to save a baby or child’s life. As the seconds tick away, it is critical to ensure that the right equipment and medication needed are in place.

Sixteen new code pink carts were introduced at RVHS in July, as part of a safety initiative to help improve patient safety for neonatal/paediatric patients, who require an emergency response. The new carts help to standardize the emergency care given to neonatal/paediatric patients ensuring that all staff and physicians are providing the same high standard of care.

Rose Owen is a clinical practice leader (CPL) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and special care nursery at Rouge Valley’s two hospital campuses. In July she saw first-hand how effective the new carts were. “When a code pink is called, each second is critical. The cart absolutely helped us with our first emergency response. In the old carts, we would have to search through the drawers, looking for the appropriate-sized equipment,” she explains.

“Because the drawers are colour coded, organized and properly stocked, everything needed for a small infant is right there. We aren’t searching for our supplies during these critical moments,” she adds.

“This quality initiative ensures that all our neonatal/paediatric patients receive optimum care during times of emergency,” explains Amer Syed, manager and CPL, respiratory therapy.

While code pink carts had already been in place at Rouge Valley’s two hospital campuses, they weren’t as organized for supplies needed immediately during a code pink. Children require equipment of appropriate smaller size, including intravenous or airway supplies. Staff members need to be able to quickly locate those supplies during the rare times when a code pink is called. The new carts are now standardized for a code pink.

Feedback from the nursing staff using the code pink carts has been very positive. “The carts have made a difference by giving us easier access to the equipment we need during an emergency. It also helps our staff to feel more confident that they’ll be able to respond properly when a code is called, because they know that everything they need to help save that baby’s life is going to be there,” adds Rose.

The carts are the culmination of two years of planning by members of the professional practice team. Using Lean methodology, the team worked together to help standardize the carts, so that each is stocked the same way. Every cart also features a map showing a list of supplies in each drawer, making it easy to know what the cart contains, and what to restock. The items stored in them can be used on all paediatric patients 18 and under.

After an emergency, each cart is restocked with the materials that were depleted. Once each drawer is stocked, it is sealed with plastic. Once the seal is broken, it’s easy to identify which trays require restocking. This creates a system of visual management for supplies.

One important tool now being used hospital-wide is the paediatric Broselow emergency tape. This tape is a colour-coded measuring system that helps nurses and physicians identify appropriately sized equipment and medication dosages for children, according to their weight and height. The organization of the cart is also based on this system, making it easier for staff to find equipment. For example, the Broselow system uses the colour green for a child who is between 30 to 36 kilograms. During a code pink, staff members would find everything they need in the green drawer in order to treat a child of that weight.

“This eliminates the need for the memorization of medication dosages and calculations from nurses and physicians during an emergency,” explains Minette MacNeil, CPL, paediatrics and surgery, RVHS.

At both hospital campuses, the carts can be found in all areas with neonatal/paediatric patients.