Where to Store Extra Code Cart Locks: Q&A With Sheldon Sones of Sheldon S. Sones and Associates

Sheldon S. Sones, RPh, FASCP, is president of Sheldon S. Sones and Associates, a pharmacy and accreditation consulting firm based in Newington, Conn.
 
Q: We’ve heard that the extra locks to the code carts should not be stored in the carts or in a drawer for easy access. Why?
 
Sheldon Sones: Most surveyors correctly feel that the purpose of the breakable locks is not security as much as it is a “signal” that the code cart contents are up to date as well as up to par against the code cart “list.”

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By: Staff

 

Anecdotal stories reveal that, for convenience, it has occurred that something is removed and the cart is relocked using easily-accessible locks, only to be unavailable during a true emergency. Moreover, a code cart event should and would be an occurrence that the clinical director/director of nursing is aware of.

 

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Thus, it is recommended that spare locks be maintained under the control of a nursing leader (clinical director/director of nursing/PACU manager) and not within the cart or an easily accessible drawer or cabinet.

 

Learn more about Sheldon S. Sones and Associates at www.sheldonsones.com.

 

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