members of the surgical team are tied up in crisis management, so
another individual who knows the location of the MH cart and can
retrieve it quickly should be assigned that role. Keep the cart in a stan-
dard location. Make sure it's never moved, and that every staff mem-
ber in your facility knows exactly where it's stored. Remember that
MH can occur in the OR immediately following anesthesia emergence
or after more lengthy exposure to triggering anesthetic agents. It can
also occur in the recovery area. In some facilities, keeping the cart in
the PACU, with its immediate access to the OR, might make the most
sense.
7. How often should you audit and restock the supplies in your MH
cart?
a. every month
b. every 3 months
c. every 6 months
d. once a year
Answer: a
The reason: Answers a, b, & c are actually all acceptable, but it's best
to check the contents of a cart as often as practically possible to
ensure all supplies and drugs are present and current. Have different
staff members conduct audits of a cart's contents so they become
familiar with where supplies are located. That familiarity will prove
invaluable during a crisis when a fast response can mean the differ-
ence between life and death. Staff who know where needed supplies
are located are more likely to respond calmly and coolly during a real-
life emergency.
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