RCN advice on bradycardia for nurses carrying out IUT procedures

Updated: 21 July 2011

If you are carrying out IUT insertion procedures the RCN advises you to read the FSRH statement on bradycardia (PDF 101KB) [see how to access PDF files]. Please note, the FSRH publication 'Service Standards for Resuscitation in Sexual Health Services' (FSRH 2006) referred to in the bradycardia statement has now been updated, therefore, please ensure that you access the 2010 version of this document.

A patient in profound bradycardia will have peripheral shut down, making it difficult to achieve cannulation for the administration of IV atropine. If a nurse is caring for a patient during IUT procedures and an emergency situation results from profound bradycardia, the first course of action would always be to dial 999 and implement basic life support. 

The RCN emphasises that IUT procedures should not be performed without a chaperone present, in case such a medical emergency arises. 

In addition, the RCN recommends that you are aware of your local policy for IV administration in emergency situations and that you also check this position with NMC.

The Resuscitation Council (UK) have published Resuscitation Guidelines in October 2010 and these can be accessed at: www.resus.org.uk/pages/guide.htm