Code Blue
Code Blue
Code Blue
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Effect of Frequent Application of Code Blue Training Program on the Performance of Pediatric Nurses
Ghada Saeed AL-Ghamdi 1; Magda Aly Essawy 2 and Dr. Mohammad Al-Qahtani 3
1
Abstract: Introduction: Code Blue training is essential for nurses, as nurses often discover the patients of inhospital cardiac arrest. Aim: the study aims to investigate the effect of frequent application of Code Blue training
program on the performance of pediatric nurses. Material and Method: Quasi-experimental design was used.
Simple randomization sampling of 22 pediatric nurses who are working in pediatric inpatient departments at King
Fahad Hospital of University composed the study subjects. Observation checklist of pediatric nurses performance
and the training program were developed by the researcher according to American Heart Association guidelines,
2011 and Hospital Policy for Code Blue. The study subjects received the training program for three times in two
weeks interval. Nurses performance of Code Blue was assessed before and after each session. Results: It is
revealed from the present study that frequent Code Blue training program enhances the performance of pediatric
nurses. This upward trend is evidenced by the statistical significant differences in nurses performance before and
after each session of the training program implementation (first session Z=4.109/ p<0.001, second session Z= 4.116/
p < 0.001, third session Z=4.024/ p < 0.001). Additionally, significant differences were demonstrated between the
first and second sessions, and between the second and third sessions [(before Z=4.114/ p <0.001, after Z=3.511/ p
<0.001), (before Z= 3.966 / p <0.001, after Z= 3.542/ p <0.001) respectively]. Conclusion and Recommendation:
the frequent application of Code Blue training program enhances the performance of the pediatric nurses, and it is
recommended from this study that pediatric nurses should attend Code Blue training frequently.
[Ghada Saeed AL-Ghamdi; Magda Aly Essawy and Dr. Mohammad Al-Qahtani. Effect of Frequent Application of
Code Blue Training Program on the Performance of Pediatric Nurses. J Am Sci 2014;10(5):9-17]. (ISSN: 15451003). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 2
Keywords: Frequent Application; Code Blue Training Program; Performance; Pediatric Nurses
recognition of signs for respiratory distress and
cardiovascular collapse that are present in the
clinically unstable pediatric patient (5-6).
Activating the emergency response system is
an essential link of the chain of survival. In a code
Blue situation, the first nurse responder should start
CPR immediately, while second nurse responder
should activate the emergency response system.
Nurses should know the process of Code Blue
announcement according to the policy of the health
organization (whom to call and what to say) (3).
The prompt initiation of high-quality chest
compressions is an essential part of cardiac arrest
resuscitation. If the infant or child is unresponsive
and not breathing, nurse will take up to 10 seconds to
check for a pulse, brachial in an infant and carotid or
femoral in a child, and if no pulse is detected, chest
compressions should be started (7-8).During cardiac
arrest, effective chest compressions produce a blood
flow to vital organs that will increase the possibility
of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and
improve the childs chance of survival by providing
heart and brain circulation.
Nurses should focus on delivering a highquality CPR by doing compressions within 10
1.Introduction:
Code Blue is a term used over the address
system to call for assistance for patient in full or
impending cardiopulmonary arrest (1). It is a rapid
response system for resuscitation and stabilization of
medical emergency situations that occurs within the
hospital area. A Code Blue is to be initiated
immediately whenever a child or an adult is found in
cardiac or respiratory arrest. It is a team activity; that
is made up of a variety of healthcare professionals
including nurses (2).
Code Blue is a multi-tasked event where
different responsibilities need to be carried out by the
Code team in order to increase the chances of
successful resuscitation. The process of Code Blue
employs the five-part of "survival chain" concepts,
which begin with recognition of cardiac arrest,
activation of the emergency response system,
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), rapid
defibrillation (3-4).
Early recognition of the pre-arrest state by
nurses is considerably affecting patient outcome and
maximize rates of survival and recovery. Initial
assessment of a child in impending cardiopulmonary
arrest requires nurses to be proficient in rapid
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Data Analysis
Scoring system:
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7
9
6
<30 years
30 -40 years
>40 years
%
31.8
40.9
27.3
24 -56
37.2 11.1
Min-max
Mean SD
Education:
Diploma
Bachelor
Years of experience:
<10 years
10-20 years
>20 years
6
16
27.3
72.7
9
8
5
40.9
36.3
22.8
1-29
12.4 9
10.5 (16.7)
Min-max
Mean SD
Median (IQR)
Attendance to previous Code Blue training:
Yes
No
Participating in Code Blue for patients:
Yes
No
4
18
18.2
81.8
15
7
68.2
31.8
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Before
After
1-5
2.91.3
2.5 (2)
3-7
5.91.2
6 (1.3)
0-3
1.21
1(1.25)
1-3
2.60.7
3 (1)
0-7
2.92.1
3(3.25)
2nd session
Significant test
(Wilcoxon)
Before
After
1-7
5.11.5
6 (1)
6-7
6.60.5
7 (1)
Z=3.659
p<0.001
1-3
2.50.6
3(1)
9-18
15.22.7
16 (3.5)
Z=4.115
P<0.001
0-5
1.61.6
1.5 (3)
1-5
4.71
5 (0)
0-3
1.10.9
1(1.25)
3-5
4.60.7
5 (1)
3rd session
Significant
test
(Wilcoxon)
Significant
test
(Wilcoxon)
Before
After
Z=3.559
p<0.001
4-7
6.30.9
7(1.25)
6-7
6.80.4
7(0.25)
2-3
30.3
3 (0)
Z=2.309
p=0.021
1-3
2.70.6
3 (1)
4-15
10.53.5
11(5)
15-19
17.41.2
17(1.25)
Z=4.115
p<0.001
6-19
163
17(3.2)
17-19
18.70.6
19(1)
Z=3.855
p<0.001
Z=3.824
p<0.001
2-4
4.52.3
4 (2)
4-5
4.90.3
5 (0)
Z=2.208
p=0.027
3-5
4.70.7
5(1)
4-5
50.2
5(0)
Z=1.897
p=0.058
Z=4.164
p<0.001
0-5
31.2
3 (2)
3-5
4.70.5
5 (0.25)
Z=4.093
p<0.001
3-5
4.50.6
5(1)
Z=4.055
P<0.001
Z=2.178
p=0.029
Z=2.333
p=0.020
Z=2.887
p=0.004
Table (III): The mean of total percent scores of nurses performance of Code Blue training program before
and after each session.
Frequency of nurses performance
1st session
Min-max
Mean SD
Median (IQR)
2nd session
Min-max
Mean SD
Median (IQR)
3rd session
Min-max
Mean SD
Median (IQR)
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Table (IV): The mean of total percent scores of nurses performance according to each two sessions before
and after the implementation of Code Blue training program
Nurses
performance
Before
Mean SD
Median (IQR)
After
Mean SD
Median (IQR)
2nd session
3rd session
Test of significant
(Wilcoxon)
24.911.2
23.1 (16)
6613.4
69.2 (20.5)
4.114
<0.001
6613.4
69(20.5)
889.8
92.3(12.8)
3.966
<0.001
84.69.2
87.2 (13.5)
93.84.7
94.9 (5.1)
3.511
<0.001
93.84.7
94.9(5.1)
98.52.3
100 (2.6)
3.542
<0.001
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4. Discussion
Pediatric nurses have a key role in Code
Blue team, and they are often the first health care
providers who respond to Code Blue events. It was
revealed from the present study that frequent Code
Blue training program enhances the performance of
the pediatric nurses. This upward is evidenced by the
statistical significant differences in nurses
performance before and after each session of the
training program implementation (first session Z=4.1
p <0.001, second session Z= 4.1 p < 0.001, third
session Z=4.02 p < 0.001) as clarified in table (III)
and figure (1). This was supported by Hamilton,16)
who cited that training must be provided as
frequently as needed, where expected nurses roles
and skills during Code Blue are regularly reinforced,
and this will contributes to the enhancement of
performance.
Immediate recognition of cardiac arrest is
one part of the first link in the chain of survival, it
leads to prompt emergency activation and initiation
of CPR, therefore, recognition of sick children should
be comprised in Code Blue training program (17).
Recognition consists of assessing the child to
determine the signs of cardiac arrest which in the
present study involves 7 items that the nurse should
accomplish. It was found from this study that there
were a significant differences before and after the
program implementation in each session of
recognition items [first session: Z=4.055/ p <0.001,
second session: Z=3.559/ p <0.001, third session:
Z=2.178/ p =0.029]. This could be related to the
awareness of nurses concerning the importance of
early identification of cardiac arrest which will affect
the child outcome and maximize rate of survival and
recovery (10).
A prompt activation of emergency response
system will lead to the punctual arrival of Code team.
Ideally, Code team should arrive to the Code location
within 3 minutes to permit early interventions. The
time needed for Code team to arrive to the scene
varies among health institutions and can take up to 6
minutes (18). Such delay could reflect the multistep
process required to activate the team, therefore ward
nurses must be trained and practice the activation of
emergency response system. It was shown from this
study that there were a significant differences before
and after the program implementation in each session
of activation of emergency response system items
[first session: Z=3.659/ p <0.001, second session:
Z=2.309/ p =0.021, third session: Z=2.333 / p
=0.020]. This might be explained in the light of
nurses understanding of the importance of the prompt
activation of the emergency response system, where
delaying in this will cause hindrance of essential
interventions for patient survival such as intubating
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4.
5.
6.
7.
Conclusion
It is concluded from the present study that
application of frequent Code Blue training program
enhances the performance of the pediatric nurses.
This is evidenced by the statistical significant
differences in nurses performance before and after
each session. The increasing enhancement in nurses
performance with frequent training is demonstrated
by the significant differences in nurses performance
between the first and second session and between the
second and third session.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Recommendations
It is recommended from this study that
pediatric nurses should attend Code Blue training
programs frequently (every 2 weeks) and workshops
to promote skills retention.
Further studies
Further studies should be conducted to
explore nurses knowledge and skills during real
Code Blue events so weak points are discovered and
reinforced during training.
Limitations
Circumstances of emergency leave, sick off and
vacations of pediatric nurses at the time of the study
has contributed to the small sample size.
12.
13.
14.
15.
References:
1. Policy and Procedure of King Fahad Hospital of
the
University.
Code
cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) team adults and pediatrics.
2012 Dec. Vols. policy and procedure No.:
NUR 17-026.
2. Saed M, Mohd M. Rapid Response System for
the Management of Intra-institutional Medical
Emergencies. Code Blue System Manual.
Produced By Emergency And Trauma
Department, Hospital Sultanah Aminah., 2000;
6.
3. Leon C, Ricardo S, Stephen S,Mary H. Pediatric
Advanced Life Support. United States of
America : Ameican Heart Association, 2011;
38, 107-15, 161-82.
16.
17.
18.
16
19.
20.
21.
22.
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