Narcan shortage

The medication shortages of the summer were managed really well.  A huge thank you to Keith for doing a medication inventory every Monday to anticipate upcoming problems.  The current issue is with Narcan.  We currently don’t have any more of the pre-filled syringes.  Therefore, when restocking Narcan, add 5 of the 1 cc  (0.4 mg) vials in place of one of the 5 mg prefill.  See the photo.  The message about this will go to clinicians tonight. 

Additions to med tray and IO box

Please move forward with the two additions:

In each medication tray, please add 5-6 alcohol wipes.
In each I.O. kit, please add 1 saline flush. 

Both of these have been requested by our clinicians and is a good move for our patients.

In the North, I've started this on a tast list.  In the South, will you also please start the process?

Thanks.
Melynda

Garage Flow

Started yesterday we have reversed the garage flow.  The diagram below, although clearly not to scale, is an illustration.  The concept is to have a work lane (for those incoming trucks that need to be washed, cleaned and VSTed) and a drive lane.  The hope to pull the trucks forward into their ultimate parking spot just is not going to work.  As Mr. Beckenbach stated so eloquently, "the geometry just doesn't work". 
So, we've backed the trucks up as they were before and will continue to tweet the work lane process. 

The reason for this change is here:

1.  We've had the crews destocking and restocking for a month now.  The majority of them are into the swing of it now.  Now is the time to start tweeting the process.  Putting them closer to the Pyxis room door will assist in reducing foot traffic too.

2.  We have to work towards eliminating trucks waiting to get in the door.  This will give them a minimum of 3 (sometimes 4) waiting spots inside instead of outside. 

3.  In the winter, this "on deck" waiting time will allow trucks to warm up a bit before we start washing them. 

I invite you to use this blog by commenting.  The idea is that we can share thoughts and communicate back and forth even when we are not in the same building. 

Black mesh undercarriage on the critical care trucks

Roger has started installing a black fabric undercarriage onto the cots in the critical care trucks.  This is designed as extra space for carrying the huge amount of items that complicated transfers encounter.  It will be important that these cots, designed for the transfer trucks, stay in those critical care/NICU trucks.

Cardiac Supplies / Med Bin

As was determined at our last VST meeting, the medication bin that is currently not wrapped in the trucks will be wrapped.    One dextrose and one neb kits will be left out.  The remaining meds will be wrapped as this will help to identify when something has been used.  The neb kit and one dextrose will stay out since they are used very frequently.  Also, the VSTs will write the date of the soonest to expire medication on the outside of the bin. 

Likewise, the cardiac supplies bin will be wrapped starting tonight.  This bin is seldom entered and has the potential to be overlooked.  Wrapping it will help identify when it needs attention.

Mark (with assistance from Kyle) will tackle this project.

VST Truck Check Sheets

Hi all,
Just to confirm, we DO have to continue submitted the VST Truck Check Sheets.  You know, the ones you turn in to Keith indicating that you've checked it.  I am in the process of rewritting it and eliminating some of the items that are no longer pertinent (like the mileage).  Eventually the Shift Summary form will probably go away, but for now I need them both turned in. 
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks.