Crash Cart Supply Checklist: What Every Healthcare Facility Should Keep Ready
A crash cart—also called an emergency cart or resuscitation cart—is designed to give healthcare teams rapid access to the equipment and supplies needed during a medical emergency.
When cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, severe deterioration, or another life-threatening event occurs, staff should not have to search multiple supply rooms for essential equipment. A well-organized crash cart keeps critical supplies together, clearly labeled, accessible, and ready for use.
But what should actually be included in a crash cart supply checklist?
The exact contents vary according to the facility, patient population, clinical services, emergency protocols, and applicable requirements. However, most healthcare organizations should consider categories such as defibrillation equipment, airway and breathing supplies, monitoring equipment, vascular-access supplies, PPE, emergency medications, and reference materials.
What Is a Crash Cart?
A crash cart is a mobile emergency-response cart containing equipment, medications, and supplies used by trained healthcare personnel during medical emergencies.
The Joint Commission describes crash carts as high-risk medical equipment and emphasizes that organizations should have processes for maintaining equipment, monitoring cart contents, and ensuring the cart remains readily available.
The American Heart Association also notes that its Emergency Cardiovascular Care handbook is often included on hospital crash carts because it provides quick access to resuscitation algorithms and treatment information.
A crash cart should therefore be treated as an actively maintained emergency system, not simply a cabinet filled with supplies.
1. Defibrillation and AED Equipment
Defibrillation equipment is one of the most important components of an emergency cart used for cardiac-arrest response.
Depending on the facility and clinical environment, this may include a manual defibrillator/monitor or an automated external defibrillator (AED), along with compatible pads, cables, batteries, and other manufacturer-specified accessories.
BSC Supply offers the ZOLL AED Plus Package, which includes an AED cover, CPR-D Padz, batteries, and a soft carry case. The product also includes an LCD screen with voice prompts and device advisory information.
Facilities should verify that their defibrillator or AED is maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions and that pads and batteries remain within their required service life.
Stocking checklist:
- Defibrillator or AED appropriate for the facility
- Compatible adult pads
- Pediatric pads where applicable
- Backup pads where required by facility policy
- Battery or power supply
- ECG cables/electrodes when applicable
- CPR-related accessories
2. Airway and Breathing Supplies
Emergency airway management can require multiple types of equipment depending on the patient's condition and the clinical team's training and scope of practice.
A facility's crash-cart inventory may therefore include items such as bag-mask ventilation equipment, airway adjuncts, oxygen-delivery equipment, suction supplies, and related accessories.
The American Heart Association's emergency-care equipment lists include airway and ventilation equipment such as bag-mask devices, airway adjuncts, oxygen masks, nasal cannulas, and suction catheters.
Potential stocking categories include:
- Bag-mask ventilation equipment
- Adult, pediatric, and infant airway equipment as applicable
- Oxygen masks and nasal cannulas
- Suction catheters and tubing
- Oral or other airway adjuncts appropriate to the facility
- Water-soluble lubricant where applicable
Facilities should determine the exact airway equipment based on their patient population, emergency protocols, and the competencies of personnel expected to use the cart.
3. Monitoring and Assessment Equipment
Rapid assessment is essential during an emergency. A crash cart should provide access to equipment needed to evaluate vital signs and monitor the patient's condition.
This may include blood-pressure equipment, a stethoscope, pulse-oximetry equipment, ECG monitoring accessories, and other devices appropriate to the facility.
BSC Supply offers the Professional Combo Blood Pressure Cuff and Sprague Kit, as well as Dual Head Stethoscopes and other clinical assessment equipment.
Consider stocking:
- Blood-pressure cuff(s) appropriate for the patient population
- Stethoscope
- Pulse oximetry equipment or compatible sensors
- ECG electrodes and cables where applicable
- Thermometer or other assessment equipment as required by facility policy
4. IV Access and Vascular Supplies
Many emergency-response protocols require rapid vascular access. Facilities that use IV therapy as part of their emergency response should maintain the appropriate catheters, tubing, connectors, dressings, flushes, and other supplies specified by their protocols.
BSC Supply carries a range of IV sets and solutions, including Introcan Safety IV Catheters and sterile IV administration sets.
The exact catheter gauges, tubing configurations, and solutions required should be determined by the facility's clinical protocols and patient population.
Potential stocking categories include:
- IV catheters in appropriate sizes
- IV administration sets
- IV extension sets
- Needle-free connectors
- Appropriate flush solutions
- IV dressings and securement supplies
- Tourniquets
- Alcohol or antiseptic prep products
- Sharps containers
5. Emergency Medications
Emergency medications are often an important component of a crash cart, but the specific drugs and quantities should never be copied from a generic internet checklist without clinical review.
Medication contents should be determined by the facility's medical staff, pharmacy, emergency protocols, patient population, applicable regulations, and current resuscitation guidelines.
The Joint Commission emphasizes that organizations must balance the security of emergency medications with the requirement that they remain readily available when needed.
Facilities should establish a defined process for:
- Approving the medication list
- Checking expiration dates
- Monitoring medication quantities
- Securing medications appropriately
- Separating pediatric medications where applicable
- Replacing medications immediately after use
- Documenting inspections and restocking
For facilities caring for children, pediatric emergency medications and supplies should be clearly separated and labeled according to facility policy. The Joint Commission specifically recommends clear organization and labeling of pediatric medications in emergency carts.
6. Syringes, Needles, and Medication-Administration Supplies
Medication and vascular-access procedures may require a variety of syringes, needles, alcohol prep pads, labels, and other accessories.
Rather than treating these supplies as an afterthought, facilities should establish par levels based on their emergency medication protocols.
Potential categories include:
- Appropriate syringe sizes
- Needles in required sizes
- Alcohol prep pads
- Medication labels
- Needleless connectors
- Sharps containers
- Flush syringes
All medication-administration supplies should be compatible with the medications, vascular-access devices, and procedures used by the facility.
7. PPE and Infection-Control Supplies
Emergency situations can involve blood, body fluids, respiratory secretions, or other exposure hazards. A crash cart should therefore include or have immediate access to appropriate personal protective equipment.
Depending on the facility's risk assessment, this may include disposable gloves, protective gowns, surgical masks, eye protection, and other PPE.
BSC Supply offers a wide range of medical PPE and infection-control supplies, including nitrile exam gloves and other protective products.
Consider stocking or keeping immediately accessible:
- Disposable nitrile gloves
- Protective gowns
- Procedure masks
- Eye protection
- Face shields where appropriate
- Hand hygiene supplies
8. CPR and Resuscitation Accessories
CPR accessories can help support a coordinated response during cardiac arrest and other emergencies.
The American Heart Association's Cardiac Emergency Response Plan guidance recommends resuscitation equipment such as gloves, a razor, scissors, towel, antiseptic wipes, and a CPR barrier mask as part of an AED-associated resuscitation kit, with additional equipment considered based on organizational needs.
Facilities should determine which CPR accessories belong directly on the crash cart and which should remain with the AED or in another designated emergency location.
Potential items include:
- CPR barrier mask
- Protective gloves
- Trauma scissors
- Razor for chest preparation when appropriate
- Antiseptic wipes
- Towels or absorbent materials
- Extra defibrillator pads where appropriate
9. Emergency Reference Materials
During a high-pressure emergency, quick access to current clinical algorithms and reference information can support a coordinated response.
The American Heart Association's 2025 Emergency Cardiovascular Care Handbook is specifically described as a resource that is often included on hospital crash carts.
The AHA also offers 2025 ACLS Emergency Crash Cart Cards designed specifically for placement on emergency crash carts. The updated cards include adult cardiac-arrest, bradycardia, tachycardia, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, and post-cardiac-arrest algorithms.
Facilities caring for pediatric patients should consider appropriate pediatric emergency references as well. The AHA's 2025 PALS Emergency Crash Cart Cards include pediatric cardiac-arrest and other pediatric emergency algorithms.
10. Organize the Cart for Rapid Access
A crash cart is most useful when staff can find what they need quickly.
Drawers should be clearly labeled and organized consistently across the facility. High-priority equipment should be readily accessible, while medications and specialized supplies should be organized according to facility policy.
The Joint Commission recommends clearly arranging emergency-cart medications so that names are visible and pediatric medications are clearly separated and labeled when applicable. It also recommends keeping appropriate references available for medication dosing and pediatric emergencies.
Good organization practices include:
- Clearly labeled drawers
- Consistent cart configuration across departments
- Clearly identified pediatric supplies where applicable
- Clearly identified emergency medications
- Current reference materials
- Easy access to the defibrillator
- Minimal unnecessary clutter
Crash Cart Supply Checklist
| Category | Examples | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Defibrillation | AED/defibrillator, pads, batteries, cables | Check readiness indicators and expiration dates |
| Airway | Bag-mask devices, airway adjuncts, oxygen supplies | Match patient population and staff competencies |
| Suction | Suction tubing and catheters | Verify compatibility and readiness |
| Monitoring | BP cuffs, stethoscope, SpO2/ECG accessories | Stock appropriate sizes and compatible accessories |
| IV access | IV catheters, tubing, extension sets, connectors | Follow facility protocols |
| Medications | Facility-approved emergency medications | Pharmacy-controlled and regularly inspected |
| Medication supplies | Syringes, needles, labels, prep pads | Match the approved medication list |
| PPE | Gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection | Keep appropriate sizes available |
| CPR supplies | Barrier mask, scissors, razor, wipes | Keep immediately accessible |
| References | ACLS/PALS algorithms and emergency references | Keep materials current |
How Often Should a Crash Cart Be Checked?
There is no single inspection schedule that applies identically to every healthcare organization. Facilities should establish their inspection frequency through their policies, risk assessment, applicable requirements, and clinical operations.
The Joint Commission recommends that organizations define who checks the crash cart, how frequently it is checked, who checks the emergency equipment, and who is responsible for restocking or replacing supplies.
At a minimum, facilities should have a defined process for checking the cart and should inspect and restock it after every emergency use.
Routine checks should verify:
- Defibrillator/AED readiness
- Battery status
- Pad and electrode expiration dates
- Medication expiration dates
- Medication quantities
- IV and airway supplies
- PPE quantities and sizes
- Reference materials
- Cart seal or security mechanism
- Overall cart cleanliness and accessibility
Crash Cart Security and Accessibility
A crash cart needs to be secure without becoming difficult to access during an emergency.
The Joint Commission states that organizations may use breakaway-lock systems when there is a defined process for monitoring the integrity of the lock and cart contents. The organization should also have processes to address evidence of tampering or diversion.
Facilities should therefore establish clear responsibility for cart inspections and define what happens when a seal is broken, the cart is used, or supplies are missing.
Shop Emergency and Clinical Supplies at BSC Supply
A properly maintained crash cart depends on having the right equipment available before an emergency occurs.
BSC Supply offers a broad selection of medical and emergency-response supplies, including defibrillation equipment, IV access products, IV administration sets, blood-pressure equipment, stethoscopes, PPE, and other clinical supplies.
For defibrillation equipment, explore the ZOLL AED Plus Package. For vascular access, review Introcan Safety IV Catheters and sterile IV administration sets. For patient assessment, consider the Professional Blood Pressure Cuff and Sprague Kit and Dual Head Stethoscope.
Build your crash cart around your facility's clinical protocols—and keep critical emergency supplies ready when your team needs them.
Shop Medical Supplies at BSC Supply →
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be included in a crash cart?
A crash cart commonly contains defibrillation equipment, airway and breathing supplies, monitoring equipment, IV-access supplies, emergency medications, medication-administration supplies, PPE, CPR accessories, and current emergency reference materials. Exact contents should be determined by the facility's protocols, patient population, and applicable requirements.
How often should a crash cart be checked?
Healthcare organizations should establish a defined inspection schedule based on their policies, risk assessment, clinical operations, and applicable requirements. Crash carts should also be inspected and restocked after use.
What medications belong in a crash cart?
The medication list should be established by the healthcare organization's clinical leadership and pharmacy based on current resuscitation protocols, patient population, scope of practice, and applicable requirements. A generic online medication list should not be substituted for the facility's approved list.
Should pediatric supplies be kept on a crash cart?
Facilities that treat pediatric patients should determine which pediatric emergency equipment and medications are required by their clinical protocols. Pediatric supplies should be clearly separated and labeled so they can be identified quickly.
Does a crash cart need an AED or defibrillator?
Emergency cardiac-response equipment should be appropriate to the facility's emergency-response system and clinical protocols. Depending on the setting, this may be an AED or a manual defibrillator/monitor. Facilities should follow applicable requirements and manufacturer maintenance instructions.
What is the most important part of crash cart maintenance?
The most important part is having a defined process that keeps the cart accessible, organized, secure, inspected, and fully restocked. Staff should know where the cart is located and how their facility manages inspections and replacement of used or expired supplies.