4 South PACU Staff Sparks Equipment Changes

Submitted by Branden Robertson

The Clinical Advancement and Patient Safety Department along with 4 South PACU would like to recognize Clinical Associate Jan Winand, Becca Summey RN, and Kim Podruchney RN Preceptor. Jan raised awareness that the green anesthesia ambu type resuscitation bags are not latex free and that latex free bags were not stocked on their unit. Becca recognized the significance and forwarded the concern to Kim Podruchney. Staff worked with Materials Management to determine that latex free resuscitation bags are available and could be stocked on their unit. A quick survey of staff revealed that the majority of staff were not aware that these resuscitation bags contained latex which has the potential to cause significant harm to patients along with staff whom have latex allergies.

Thanks to the work of Jan, Becca, and Kim, the 4 South PACU staff and Anesthesiologists have been educated on these anesthesia resuscitation bags and a latex free alternative has been made available. This near miss will be in consideration for the October Great Catch Reward.