Emergency Charge Nurse Checklist
q 1. Receive telephone call from external source that indicates a disaster may have taken place and obtain the following information:
a. type of disaster
b. where it occurred
c. number of casualties
d. seriousness of injuries
e. source of information (who called)
f. estimated time of arrival (ETA)
q 2. Collaborate with Senior Emergency Physician and Emergency Center Nurse Manager or Nursing Supervisor to determine whether to initiate the Operation Orange Plan-Standby or Full Alert.
q 3. Prepare the Emergency Center to receive patients.
a. Discharge/admit/triage home patients who are presently in the department or lobby.
b. Assign staff to appropriate areas (detailed job descriptions in the EC department manual).
c. Insure Outside Call System has been activated.
d. Determine supply and equipment needs.
q 4. Along with Emergency Services Medical Director, triage each patient to appropriate area on their arrival to the Emergency Center. Assure that each patient has:
a. room assignment, chart, Operation Orange #, and arm band.
b. a nurse to begin initial care
c. immediate medical attention if needed.
q 5. Assure that the Locator Board is being kept up to date. The Emergency Center Coordinator will help with this: Operation Orange #, area triaged to, injury, doctor, eventual destination, e.g. OR room #.
q 6. Coordinate the flow of information between the Emergency Services Medical Director, the Hos- pital Medical Director, and the Nursing Supervisor.
q 7. Obtain RN check-in list. Assign first reporting nurse the responsibility of checking in reporting nurses.
q 8. Convey the following information to the Nursing Supervisor:
a. additional staff who may be needed from the nursing units.
b. the need to open DOSA to receive overflow of patients.
q 9 Triage all patients who are not part of the Operation Orange.
q 10. Assign emergency personnel as they arrive in the department.
q 11. Assure that Operation Orange Patients who are treated and discharged are directed to the Admis- sions department reception desk.
q 12. If notified that patients will be arriving by helicopter:
a. Notify Emergency Services Medical Director, Nursing Supervisor, and Security.
b. Assign Flying Squad and House Nursing Assistant to go to helicopter pad to assist with the arrival of patients and help bring them to the Emergency Center.
q 13. Collaborate with the Administrative Disaster Director to determine if the Emergency Center/Hospital needs to be places on "closed status" with Medic Control.
Source: Methodist Hospital Health System Minnesota, St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content