While assessing the emergency trach equipment for your newly assigned patient, you notice that there is no back up trach of a smaller size. A trach of the same size, however, is labeled and attached to the patient’s bedside table. What is the FIRST thing you should you do?
Talk with the patient’s routine nurse at shift change
Nothing; all other emergency supplies are available, and the patient has no history of respiratory emergencies
Call the patient’s primary caregiver immediately to inquire about the location of the next size smaller trach. If not available, call the DME company to request an emergency delivery of the next size smaller trach
Talk with your Maxim Clinical Supervisor who is scheduled to make a home visit the following day