Code Blue in the Hospital: What to Do as a Nurse

Code Blue in the Hospital: What to Do as a Nurse

Advanced Nursing 2021

What is a Code Blue?

A code blue is called when a patient experiences unexpected cardiac or respiratory arrest that requires resuscitation and activation of a hospital-wide alert.

These cardiac or respiratory arrests are handled by the “code team” of the hospital. However, if a nurse is nearby, he or she will have to step in and begin immediately until the code team arrives.

There is Code Blue training for nurses so they can learn how to properly and quickly respond to these codes. If you haven’t taken one of these pieces of training, look for one near you.

When to Call Code Blue

The decision to call a code blue will happen in a matter of seconds, so you have to think fast. You will know to call a code blue when the patient isn’t pumping the oxygenated blood they need to survive due to cardiac or respiratory arrest. In other words, if their heart stops pumping or they stop breathing.

Before you call a code, make sure and do a quick assessment. Look for a pulse and signs of breathing. If either of these isn’t happening, that’s when you call a code blue.

When you call a code blue, the code team will respond. Keep attempting to resuscitate the patient until they arrive.

Role of Responders During a Code Blue

When someone calls a code blue, the following people will respond and begin the process of trying to revive the patient.

Here is what the first responders to a code blue will do:

1.   Call for help.
2.   Drop the head of the bead and remove the pillows so the patient is flat on the bed.
3.   Check the carotid pulse.
4.   Begin chest compressions.
5.   Bring the e-cart and other emergency equipment to the site.
6.   Put the backboard under the patient.
7.   Clear and manage the patient’s airway with an ambu bag or a pocket mask with a one-way valve.
8.  Turn on the AED/defibrillator and use it for pulseless patients.
9.   Verify that IV fluids and emergency medications are ready.
10.    Document everything.

Always check with your hospital and make sure you know their exact code blue procedures in case they are different from what is listed in this article.

Who is on the code team?

Your hospital might have different members on the code team. More often than not, these are the people that make up the code team.

•          Physician – typically the leader
•       Unit RN
•          Critical Care/ICU RN – might serve as the code team leader until the doctor arrives
•          Pharmacist
•          Respiratory Therapist – manages airways and respiratory assessments
•          Clinical Supervisor – the person in charge of communication between the physician and the patient’s family
•          ED Techs

What to Do as a Nurse During a Code Blue

Now that you know what a Code Blue is and who is going to respond let’s look at what you should do as a nurse during a code blue.

The most important thing of all is to stay calm and think quick. Mistakes could be costly, so take a deep breath and make sure you are doing the right things.

1. Practice First

Seek out opportunities to walk through mock code blues. Every chance you have to practice will make it so that your body and mind know what to do even when you are under the stress of the real thing.

2. Help Out During Code Blue

The best way to learn is to help out during a code. Keep in mind that if you have no idea what to do, it might be best to stay out of the way. But if you went through training and you know the procedures, begin helping. It will give you priceless hands-on experience.

3. Let the Doctor Be in Charge

Respect their authority and follow their lead. Your job as a nurse is to support them and the team. This might mean giving chest compressions or running and grabbing essential toils and supplies. When a code is called the doctor might use a defibrillator to shock the heart and make it pump again. There are also medications that they can give.

A code blue is a terrifying experience as a nurse. It’s stressful for experienced nurses and those on the code team, but even more for inexperienced or new nurses. Let’s look at what code blue is and how to respond as a nurse so that you are prepared.

What Not to Do During Code Blue

Just like there are some things you should always do, you need to remember the things to avoid too.

1. Do Not Yell

Keep your voice level and calm. It’s a very tense and stressful situation already, using a loud or excitable voice will only increase the anxiety and noise level of the room.

2. Do Not Guess

If you don’t know what to do, let someone else step in. This is not the time to make a guess and hope it is right.

3. Don’t Leave When the Team Arrives

Just because the code team is in the room doesn’t mean you get to leave. This is your patient and you were the last medical professional with them. They might have questions for you or need your help. Stay in the room.

4. Don’t Switch Roles

Communication is extra important during this critical time. If you are completing a task or in charge of a part of the process, don’t switch unless you communicate clearly and have someone take over for you.

Code Blue on DNR Patients

If you have a DNR patient, you won’t call a code blue. Typically, these patients have legal papers that say they don’t want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).

How will you know if a patient is DNR? It should be noted in their charts. Some hospitals will also put this information on their wristband.

For more details about Advanced Nursing 2021, visit: https://nursing.nursingmeetings.com/

Four Interesting Facts about Registered Nurses Every Nursing Student Should Know

 

Four Interesting Facts about Registered Nurses Every Nursing Student Should Know

Advanced Nursing 2021 at Tokyo, Japan on August 16-17,2021

There's no chance you haven't interacted with a nurse in your entire lifetime. Have you ever visited a hospital? Have you ever got home care because of an accident or illness? If not, once in a while, you must have surely visited at least one medical clinic or you must have called a health care hotline.

Meanwhile, the following three designations are the most common designations you must have heard of- Registered Nurse (RN), A Nurse Practitioner (NP) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

Down here, we are going to reveal some interesting facts about registered nurses that every nursing student should know.

Fact #1: Registered nurses may have a degree of 2-8 years.

Two years of study and a registered nurse is not only graduate, but also able to support her/his family. Further, once you get into the profession, you can study more, and sometimes, the hospital might be financing your studies too.

Fact #2: Many make more money than you'll ever know.

For a fact, most of the registered nurses earn an average of $20-$38 dollars an hour. Can you imagine? The fact does not end here. There are very rare chances a registered nurse earns less than that. On the other hand, the chances of a nurse to earn more money than that are common.

Fact #3: Registered Nurses can also be doctors.

Have you heard of nursing instructors? Well, any registered nurse can get a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Doctorate in Nursing practice (DNP). A nurse can be a doctor.

Fact #4: Nurses are in demand everywhere

In Canada, there are 360,000 of nurses regulated to work. Undoubtedly, there's no chance you haven't met one. Do you know the reason? The more the settings, the more is the need of a nurse.

These days, a nurse can choose over not seeing a blood ever or enjoying the little adrenaline rush by opting to become a flight nurse. Do you want to take care of elderly people? You can become a Geriatric Nurse. There's a wide range of nursing courses a nurse can choose from.

For participating Advanced Nursing 2021 at Tokyo, Japan, visit: https://nursing.nursingmeetings.com/