Transcript Slide 1
Code Blue, Code Blue!!!!
What’s a nurse to do?
Unit V
Objectives
Discuss cardiac emergency to include the
use of the crash cart and the importance
of BLS
Identify Rapid Response Team and Code
Blue Team
Patient Emergency
50 % patients who code
exhibit warning signs up
to 6 hrs prior to arrest
RRT consists of ICU
nurse, RT, sometimes MD,
and bedside nurse
RRT at bedside within
minutes to assess patient
Criteria for calling RRT
Change
in heart rate (<40 or >130)
Change in Systolic BP (<90 or >200)
Change in resp. rate (<8 or >24) or
threatened airway or change in SaO2
Change in mental status
New, repeated, or prolonged seizures
UO <50mL/4 hours
Failure to respond to treatment to an acute
problem/symptom
Nurse, patient, or family member is concerned
What to Do I Do If I Think My
Patient is in trouble?
Tell nurse responsible for patient’s care (also
clinical instructor) immediately of changes in
patient’s condition
Rapid Response Team (RRT) team – can be
called as soon as the nurse identifies changes
in the patient’s condition
Reassess the patient frequently
Calling Code Blue
Determine unresponsiveness
Call out for help
Push Code Blue button at the head of bed or
Pick up the phone and dial______
Identify
the emergency – Code Blue
Identify the location and the room #
Note time using the clock in patient’s room
Prior to the Code Team Arriving
Start CPR
Circulation
Airway
Breathing
Defibrillation (AED only)
Obtain the Crash Cart/AED
Remove extra furniture from the room
Unit Secretary will:
Page Chaplain for Family support
Call attending MD
Chart to Room
Once the code team arrives
Do not stop CPR when
the first team member
arrives
Continue until someone
is ready to take over
Code Team & Their Roles
Hospitalist or ER doctor– team leader –
intubation, gives orders
Critical Care Nurse – gives meds
Supervisor / Staff nurse – documents
Respiratory therapist – assists
respirations, may intubate as well
Lab – ABG, BMP, CBC
NA –CPR, brings crash cart and chart,
help with other patients
Chaplain - assist with taking family to
quiet location
Student – CPR, observation
What the Code Team Needs to Know
Current Diagnosis / Recent
Treatments or Procedures
Events Leading Up to Code
Recent Meds
Primary MD
Code Status
Other Pertinent History: Allergies,
MRSA Status, Diabetic, Cardiac,
respiratory history, etc.
Post – Code Responsibilities
Patient’s nurse gives report to
receiving nurse
Family Care
Code Summary printed
EKG Strips charted
Completed Code Sheet signed by
physician in charge of the code
Code Evaluation completed and sent to
Risk Management
Cart Exchange
Documentation
Documentation
Patient assessment
ECG rhythm (strip)
Notification of MD, orders
received
Treatments initiated & patient
response, post treatment
rhythm (strip)
If transferred, mode of
transport, transfer note,
receiving unit bed number,
receiving nurse
The Crash Cart
Top
1.
2.
3.
Defibrillator
Intubation equipment
Possibly meds
O2 tank, portable
suction, ambu bag
Front drawers and
Side drawers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Meds
IV equipment + fluids
Resp supplies
Trays
Misc (gloves, sutures,
flashlight, batteries)
Example
Emergency Medications
Oxygen
Epinephrine
Amiodarone
Atropine
Adenosine
(Adenocard)
Diltiazem
Digoxin
Lidocaine
Magnesium Sulfate
Dobutamine
Dopamine
Narcan
Do Not Resuscitate
Full code or No Code
Documentation
on chart of
MD order
MD discussion with patient / family
Chart labeled
MAR labeled
What
if family changes their mind??
Student’s Role in a Code
Assessment / reassessment
Notify nurse immediately of
changes in the patient’s status
Perform CPR
Observe during the Code
Help with patient’s family