Color-coded pediatric emergency cart
The A-Smart ColorCode Pediatric Emergency Cart from Armstrong Medical Industries has drawers color-coded to work in conjunction with the Broselow/Hinkle Pediatric Resuscitation System.
Measure your pediatric patient with the Broselow Pediatric Emergency Tape. His length will fall within a color bar and weight zone on the tape. The color bar references indicate which size equipment to use; the weight zone references show precalculated medication doses and infusion rates. The color-coded cart drawers hold the appropriate size equipment and medications for pediatric emergencies.
For more information, contact Armstrong Medical Industries by calling 1-800-323-4220 or visit http://www.armstrongmedical.com.
Confirming gastric tube placement
The CO2nfirm Now CO2 Detector from Kendall uses colorimetric paper technology to quickly and easily indicate when carbon dioxide (CO2) is or isn't present at the distal tip of a gastric tube. The device can help nurses confirm correct tube placement, but doesn't eliminate the need for an X-ray to definitively confirm tip location.
The detector attaches to a syringe or bellows and adapts to all feeding and nasogastric tubes. If CO2 is present, indicating inadvertent tracheal cannulation, the paper in the detector turns yellow; if no CO2 is present, indicating correct tube placement, the paper stays purple.
For more information, contact Kendall at 1-800-962-9888 or visit http://www.co2nfirmnow.com.
New safety device for blood collection
The Monoject Magellan safety blood collection device from Kendall is a combination safety needle and holder that lets you cover the needle tip with one hand after removing the blood collection tube. The device comes in various gauges and is latex-free.
For more information, contact Kendall at 1-800-962-9888 or visit http://www.kendallhq.com.
ECG cheat sheet
The electrocardiogram (ECG) cheat sheet from Knowledge is Power, Inc. is a pocket-sized card with helpful hints for recognizing common arrhythmias, location of an acute myocardial infarction based on the leads affected, and pacemaker malfunction as seen on an ECG.
One side of the sheet lists the characteristics of various arrhythmias from sinus bradycardia to bundle-branch blocks; the other side gives waveform examples for arrhythmias and common pacemaker problems. The card costs $4 (or $35 for a pack of 10), and shipping is free. Florida residents must pay Florida sales tax. To order, visit http://www.nurse411.com or send your name, mailing address, and check or money order to Hank Geiter, Jr, RN, CCRN, c/o Knowledge is Power, 120 Tendring Circle, Palm Harbor, Fla. 34683.