Crash Carts

• 
  A crash cart at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan.
• 
  A crash cart made in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Purpose

A crash cart can provide timely and mobile access to equipment, instruments, materials and pharmaceuticals needed for care of a patient in critical distress. Survival of a patient can depend upon the rapid availability of something in the cart.

Contents

Typically, a cart is stocked by an assigned staff member in coordination with a pharmacist and a stores department at the site where the cart is used. Contents are reviewed against a checklist on a fixed schedule and items are replaced after use. Contents accord to site practice. The list here is an example and not authoritative.

An adjustable IV pole and brackets holding an arrest board are on the back of the cart.

Top Drawer

Waterloo Crash Cart Top Drawer

• Laryngoscope
• Intubation (Magill) forceps
• Suction tubes
• Oxygen masks

Middle Drawer

Waterloo Crash Cart Middle Drawer

• Disposable endotracheal tubes

Bottom Drawer

Waterloo Crash Cart Bottom Drawer

• Disposable syringes
• Dressings
• Adhesive tapes
• Disposable gloves

Cubby

Waterloo Crash Cart Cubby

• Portable suction machine
• Needle disposal box
• Sphygmomanometer