Preparing for the unexpected in the ambulatory surgery unit

Every nurse in an ambulatory surgery unit (ASU) is responsible for becoming and remaining personally prepared to respond to a multitude of emergency situations. How do nurses remain prepared? Education and training are essential, but without practice and review many skills can become rusty and knowledge can be forgotten. Periodic emergency drills are an essential part of the overall preparedness program in any ASU. Both free-standing and hospital-based units have individual, yet similar problems that they encounter when a real emergency occurs. Practicing potential emergency scenarios is one method that can help to prepare nurses for actual emergency situations. This article discusses a number of ways in which mock code drills can be made realistic and interesting.