Tech in Surgery Prep / Unit 9 TSC 215 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Cardiac Arrest in the OR
The idea
Cardiac arrest is the sudden stop of the heart's effective pumping, and in the operating room it has causes such as heart attack, anaphylaxis, malignant hyperthermia and massive blood loss.
In practice
Follow the textbook's sequence. First, the circulating nurse calls for help and the code cart, and directs a team member to begin chest compressions. Second, a team leader is chosen from those who arrive; often it is the anesthesia provider. Third, defibrillator pads are applied as soon as the defibrillator arrives, and a shock is given when the leader instructs. Fourth, others give medications and record the events and times. Fifth, if surgery continues during resuscitation, another nurse takes over circulating and keeps the counts going.
Where people slip
The scrub person stays sterile and protects the field during a code, because the operation may need to continue or be finished quickly. The counts do not stop because the case became an emergency.
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