Code Blue Traning
Code Blue Traning
“Code Blue” is generally used to indicate a patient requiring How to cite this article: Singh S, Sharma DK, Bhoi S, Sardana SR,
resuscitation or in need of immediate medical attention, most
Chauhan S. Code Blue Policy for a Tertiary Care Trauma Hospital
often as the result of a respiratory arrest or cardiac arrest.
When called overhead, the page takes the form of “Code in India. Int J Res Foundation Hosp Healthc Adm 2015;3(2):114-122.
Blue, (floor), (room)” to alert the resuscitation team where to
Source of support: Nil
respond. Every hospital, as a part of its disaster plans, sets
a policy to determine which units provide personnel for code Conflict of interest: None
coverage. In theory, any emergency medical professional may
respond to a code, but in practice the team makeup is limited
to those with advanced cardiac life support or other equivalent REVIEW OF LITERATURE
resuscitation training. Frequently, these teams are staffed by
Hospital emergency codes are used worldwide to alert
physicians (from anesthesia and internal medicine in larger
medical centers or the emergency physician in smaller ones), staff for various emergency situations in hospitals. The
respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and nurses. A code team use of codes is intended to convey essential information
leader will be a physician in attendance on any code team; quickly with a minimum of misunderstanding to the
this individual is responsible for directing the resuscitation
hospital staff, while preventing stress or panic among
effort and is said to “run the code”. This phrase was coined
at Bethany Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. The term visitors of the hospital.
“code” by itself is commonly used by medical professionals as “Code Blue” is generally used to indicate a patient
a slang term for this type of emergency, as in “calling a code” requiring resuscitation or otherwise in need of immediate
or describing a patient in arrest as “coding”.1
The purpose of this study is to make available policy with
medical attention, most often as the result of a respiratory
regard to Code Blue which can be followed in a tertiary care or cardiac arrest. Each hospital, as a part of a disaster plan,
hospitals. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried sets a policy to determine which units provide personnel
out between January and June 2015. The study population for code coverage. In theory, any medical professional
included doctors, nursing personnel, paramedical staff and
quality managers of tertiary care hospital from public and may respond to a code, but in practice the team makeup
private hospitals. Checklist was made after an exhaustive is limited to those who had advanced cardiac life support
review of literature which was then improvised. The checklist or other equivalent resuscitation training. Frequently,
was discussed in focused group discussion held on 1 June physicians from anesthesia, emergency medicine and
2015, and suggestions were incorporated. Validation of the
checklist was also done by experts in various private and internal medicine are charged in the team. A rapid
public hospitals. Subsequently, interaction was done with study response team leader or a physician is responsible for
population against the backdrop of the checklist and Code Blue directing the resuscitation effort and is said to “run the
policy was formulated.
code”.2
114
JRFHHA
• Reassur ance and continued observation of the and jobs with all or nearly all of their cognitive abilities
collapsed patient. intact.6 Each year in the US, 400,000–460,000 persons die
Each member of the multidisciplinary team is to of unexpected SCD in an emergency department (ED) or
know and understand the skills and roles of each person before reaching a hospital.7
involved in the Code Blue response. During a Code Blue The proportion of SCD that occur out-of-hospital has
response, the multidisciplinary team recognizes the increased since 1989. Death and disability from a heart
resuscitation team leader for possessing broad skills of attack can be reduced if persons having a heart attack
organization and performance related to the Code Blue can immediately recognize its symptoms and call for
response. emergency care. Prehospital emergency medical service
All active members should be performing as a well- systems can assist in reducing SCD rates by dispatching
constructed team, polished by practice and experience. appropriately trained and properly equipped response
This will assist in preventing a disorganized and frantic personnel as rapidly as possible in the event of cardiac
code scene (Flow Chart 1).3 The incidence of out-of- emergencies. However, national efforts are needed to
hospital cardiac arrest is estimated between 36 and 128 increase the proportion of the public that can recognize
per 100,000 subjects per year. In these victims, cardio and respond to symptoms and can intervene when
pulmonary resuscitation efforts are made in as many as someone is having a heart attack, including calling the
86%, and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) can designated number, attempting cardiac resuscitation, and
be achieved in 17 to 49%.4 using automated external defibrillators until emergency
Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency that, in certain personnel arrive.7
situations, is potentially reversible if treated early. Survival rates for cardiac arrests that occur in hos
Unexpected cardiac arrest can lead to death within pitals and outside them continue to be low (17 and 6%,
minutes: this is called sudden cardiac death (SCD). The respectively), and fewer than one-third of patients
treatment for cardiac arrest is immediate defibrillation if who have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive
a “shockable” rhythm is present, while cardiopulmonary CPR. Consequently, a number of changes were made
resuscitation (CPR) is used to provide circulatory support to the 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines
and/or to induce a “shockable” rhythm. for CPR and emergency cardiovascular care. The
A number of heart conditions and non-heart-related changes were intended to simplify CPR in order to
events can cause cardiac arrest; the most common cause increase its use and effectiveness by both clinicians and
is coronary artery disease.5 nonprofessionals.8
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an important part In one of the study by Stundek et al, it was found that
of the management of cardiac arrest. It is recommended there were 1,142 cardiac arrests which were included in
that it be started as soon as possible and interrupted as the analytic data set. Prehospital ROSC occurred in 299
little as possible. The component of CPR that seems to individuals (26.2%). When controlling for initial arrest
make the greatest difference in most cases is the chest rhythm and other confounding variables, individuals
compressions. Correctly performed bystander CPR has with no endotracheal intubation (ETI) attempted were
been shown to increase survival; however, it is performed 2.33 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.63–3.33) times
in less than 30% of out of hospital arrests as of 2007. If more likely to have ROSC compared to those with
high-quality CPR has not resulted in ROSC and the one successful ETI attempt. Of the 299 individuals
person’s heart rhythm is in asystole, discontinuing CPR with prehospital ROSC, 118 (39.5%) were subsequently
and pronouncing the person’s death is reasonable after discharged alive from the hospital. Individuals having
20 minutes.5 no ETI were 5.46 (95% CI = 3.36–8.90) times more likely
For decades, conventional wisdom in treating patients to be discharged from the hospital alive compared to
with cardiac arrest was that if the heart stopped beating individuals with one successful ETI attempt.9
for longer than 6 to 10 minutes, the brain would be dead. A study was conducted in the year 1996, by Cobbe
Now a new treatment being embraced by a growing et al to determine the short and long-term outcome of
number of US hospitals suggests that patients can be patients admitted to hospital after initially successful
brought back to a healthy life even if their heart is stopped resuscitation from cardiac arrest out of hospital. From the
for 20 minutes, perhaps longer. In recent months around study, it was found that about 40% of initial survivors of
the US, doctors and nurses say, cardiac-arrest patients resuscitation out of hospital are discharged home without
who would previously have been given up for dead have major neurological disability. Patients at high risk of
been revived and discharged to return to their families subsequent cardiac death.10
International Journal of Research Foundation of Hospital & Healthcare Administration, July-December 2015;3(2):114-122 115
JRFHHA
Physician or Anesthesiologist
Manages the airway and circulation.
One Nurse
• Assists doctor in managing the airway
• Assists in obtaining intravenous access and drug administration as per team leader’s instructions
• Assists in managing code as requested
• Will remain with the patient until the transfer occurs?
Other Nurse
• Automated external defibrillator (AED)/defibrillator switched on
• Monitor rhythms through AED pads /ECG leads/paddles
• Rhythm analysis and shock delivery as advised by Code Blue team leader
• Fill Code Blue flowsheet and attach to the patient’s medical record after showing the same to team leader.
security Personnel
• Directs team members toward code location
• He must ensure the area/scene is safe before proceeding with their response
• Ensures that no crowding of Code Blue site takes place.
Hospital Attendant
• Help nursing staff in pushing crash card near the patient
• Assists in various other activities.
International Journal of Research Foundation of Hospital & Healthcare Administration, July-December 2015;3(2):114-123 117
116
JRFHHA
International Journal of Research Foundation of Hospital & Healthcare Administration, July-December 2015;3(2):114-122 117
Sheetal Singh et al
• No neck pulse (to be witnessed by healthcare • The individual calling the Code Blue must dial the
provider). designated number to call a Code Blue.
• Identify yourself to the call center staff who responds
Sheetal
Who canSingh et al
Activate Code Blue? to the call.
• The individual assigned as recorder will document •
• Give the exact location
Resuscitation (i.e., unit,
equipment floor,
will be wing, building)
immediately
Any individual may call a Code Blue and certified staff
• Tell him/her that there is a adult/pediatric Code Blue
willallinitiate
treatments,
basicmedications,
life supportelectrocardiogram
(BLS) and automated data, available for all Code Blue calls.
• Code Blue team will be notified using public address
etc. on the
external Code Blue
defibrillator record
(AED) (Annexure 3). The
if available, Code
until relieved by • Following a successful resuscitation of in-patient, and
system.
Record remains in the
the Code Blue team. patient’s medical record after planned transfer to a critical care unit, a Code Blue team
designated individual show it to the team leader. nurse
What will remain
Happens withCode
when the patient
Blueuntil
is the transfer occurs.
Announced?
11
How
• The to Code
Activate
BlueCode
recordBlue?
(Annexure 2) is filled by the • Following
(Flow Chart 1) 12
successful codes on other than registered
teamCode
• The leader at the
Blue teamend of the
has Code
to be Blue by
notified andthesubmit to
control in-patients
• When Code (admitted patients)the
Blue is announced the patient
message is should
sent to
Code Blue committee completes the monthly
room (room designated to notify the message to the statistics be transferred to ED for further assessment
the Code Blue team (Annexure 1), who are expected and
for code committee.
response team). treatment. Exceptions to the above may occur.
to arrive at the scene as soon as they get the message
Affix patient label
This form has to be filled by the team leader of the Code Blue team who is the in-charge of the
patient after evaluating the event.
This is to be submitted to the Code Blue review committee within 24 hours of occurrence of the event.
This form is for quality assurance purpose.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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JRFHHA
JRFHHA
Code
Code Blue
Blue Policy
Policy for
for a
a Tertiary
Tertiary Care
Care Trauma
Trauma Hospital
Hospital in
in India
India
Airway/Ventilation
Breathing at onset Spontaneous: Aponic: Agonal: Assisted
Time of first assisted ventilation: Ventilation: BVM ET Tracheotomy others
Intubation: Time ___________________ Size: ___________________ By whom __________________
Defibrillation (Joules) Epinephrine Atropine Amiodranone Lidocaine Magnesium Code Blue team
members
TI B P R S R Comments:
M P R R A H
E O Y
2
cause
Auditor's report
International
International Journal
Journal of
of Research
Research Foundation
Foundation of
of Hospital
Hospital &
& Healthcare
Healthcare Administration,
Administration, July-December
July-December 2015;3(2):114-123
2015;3(2):114-122 119
119
JRFHHA
Sheetal Singh et al Code Blue Policy for a Tertiary Care Trauma Hospital in India
Annexure 4: Code Blue mock drill audit sheet (adult and pediatric)15-19
Assessment and activating help Yes No comments
Did the first responder assessed the patient appropriately?
Did the first responder verbally summoned the help?
Did he/she instructed someone to call on the designated number?
Was there proper delegation of tasks to 2nd and 3rd responder by first responder?
The victim was moved from the site of code only if absolutely essential to perform CPR effectively or safely
Did the 1st responder performed appropriate ABC assessment and intervention?
Alerting code blue
Was there any delay in alerting Code Blue?
Was Code Blue announced thrice (loud and distinct)?
"Adult" of pediatric code announced
Exact location specified when announced
Any Pager/phone issue(s)/or any other means of communication
Any other issue related
Did Code Blue team responded in time (< 3 minutes)
role of 2nd and 3rd responders
Did the crash cart arrive/Kit Bag within 2 minutes?
Did the 2nd responder did the assigned job appropriately?
(opened the crash cart, provided ambu, attached defibrillator, attached oxygen, helped with CPR)
Did the 3rd responder did the job as assigned (ensure/secure IV access)
cPr quality
Delivered compressions × 2 minutes, per AHA guidelines, then commenced with usual CPR
methodology as follows:
Opened airway/checked breathing
Delivered two breaths
Checked pulse (location appropriate to age of victim)
Positioned proper hand position for compressions
Contd...
120
International Journal of Research Foundation of Hospital & Healthcare Administration, July-December 2015;3(2):114-123 121
JRFHHA
Sheetal Singh
Sheetal Singh et
et al
al Code Blue Policy for a Tertiary Care Trauma Hospital in India
Contd...
International
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Journal of Research Foundation of Hospital & Healthcare Administration, July-December 2015;3(2):114-122 121
Sheetal Singh et al
How Code Blue Teams may be Required for a Weekly Report 2002. p. 123-126. Available at: http://www.
Hospital? cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5106a3.htm
8. Mutchner L. The ABCs of CPR—gain. [Internet]. Am J Nurs
There is no fixed number. Availability and accessibility 2007; 60–69; quiz 69-70. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.
of resources (manpower, equipment), size of the hospital, nih.gov/pubmed/17200636.
9. Studnek JR, Thestrup L, Vandeventer S, Ward SR, Staley
design of the hospital and many other factors specific to
K, Garvey L, et al. The association between prehospital
the hospital should be taken into account while deciding endotracheal intubation attempts and survival to hospital
upon the number of Code Blue teams. discharge among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.
Academic Emergency Medicine 2010. p. 918-925.
Limitation of the Policy 10. Cobbe SM, Dalziel K, Ford I, Marsden a K. Survival of 1476
patients initially resuscitated from out of hospital cardiac
This policy is specially designed for a trauma care arrest. BMJ [Internet]. 1996;312(7047):1633-1637. Available at:
hospital. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid
Means of announcing Code Blue differs from hospital =2351362&tool=pmcentrez&rendertype=abstract.
11. Medicine I, Management HC. Post-graduate programme
to hospital depending on the resources available.
international medicine – health crisis management, Essay
Number of Code Blue teams is not fixed and vary subject: code blue teams in general hospital. Guidelines and
from hospital to hospital. best practices post-graduate student: theoni zougou. 201.
12. Gerganoff CNOS, Csm M. Patient care services policy and
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