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

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

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.

To leanr more please download the brochure World Nursing Congress 2020

 

54th World Congress on

Nursing and Health Care

Nursing Congress 2020 | Advanced Practice Nursing | Cardiac Nursing | Clinical Nursing | Japan Event

Nursing Congress 2020 | Advanced Practice Nursing | Cardiac Nursing | Clinical Nursing | Japan Event

Being a Professional as a Travel Nurse

Professionalism is demonstrated by you providing the care that you would give to your family, or would want to receive yourself.  We all know what it looks like to be seen as “unprofessional,” but how can I display professionalism?  Below are ten ways to be professional as a travel nurse:

1. Have competence –

You need to hold the ability to remain calm and confident in moments of high stress, pressure, and critical situations.  You need to stay level headed in the day to day bedside actions.  Obtain the skills necessary to provide the best, safest care possible.

2. Be reliable –

Arrive on time, complete your charting on time, administer medication on time, and avoid canceling shifts you have agreed to work.

3. Honesty –

Patients and their families need to know they can trust you.  Tell the truth in all situations.

4. Integrity –

Be known for always doing the “right thing.”  Don’t give them a reason to think otherwise.

5. Show respect –

Treat all people as if they matter because they do.  Your co-worker learns that you respect them when you report on time and complete your work.  Treat them as you want to be treated.

6. Remain current –

seek out ways to update your skills.  Healthcare changes daily, stay aware of the new advances within your specialty. 

7. Be positive –

Maintain an upbeat, positive attitude.  No one likes a pessimist or a complainer.

8. Support others –

Work as a team. When we work together, we create a sense of synergy.  Working as a team, we are much stronger as compared to working alone. Teamwork fosters creativity and learning.  It provides the best results for the physical and psychological needs of the patient and the job satisfaction for the nurse. Working as a team also reduces chances for errors, because there is cross-checking of work and constant communications.  The success of a squad is the sum of all its parts, not just one individual.

9. Stay work focused –

Don’t let your personal life impact your work time.  Avoid the gossip mill and the unit drama.  When your contract ends, they will all still be friends.

10. Listen carefully –

Take the time to listen before you speak.  Everyone wants to be heard.  Give them a chance to explain their perception.  Listen for the real message, not just the words.

Dr. Carolyn Jarvis, APRN, has said:

“The character of the nurse is as important as the knowledge she possesses.” (as cited in Bradshaw, 2011); I agree.  Having integrity in the work that you do and the relationships that you build is imperative in all aspects of life.  Honor the profession you have chosen – Act Professionally.

To learn more details regarding World Nursing Congress 2020 please download the conference brochure https://nursingcongress.nursingconference.com/conference-brochure.php

54th World Congress on Nursing and Health Care | Nursing Congress 2020

54th World Congress on Nursing and Health Care | Nursing Congress 2020

Scope and Importance

ConferenceSeries llc Ltd is pleased to invite you to participate in the 54th World Congress on Nursing and Healthcare (Nursing Conferences) during May 13-14 2020 Tokyo, Japan with a theme, “Integrating the Milestones in Nursing and Healthcare”. 

The 54th World congress on nursing aims to bring together experts from various disciplines of healthcare practice, education, research and management and provides an ambient platform for practitioners, public health professionals, researchers and students to sow and reap knowledge on recent and current advancements in the various fields of Nursing and Healthcare. Nurses and related healthcare professionals will have an ample opportunity to connect with colleagues, researchers, exhibitors and young talents and have discussions on emerging trends and challenges in real-time practice.

Benefits:

• Accepted abstracts will be published in Journal of Nursing and Care provided with DOI

• Global networking: In transferring and exchanging Ideas

This year World Nursing Congress 2020 meeting makes a stage for specialist’s cooperation at the same time it is a global platform to discuss and learn about exchange research evidence, innovative ideas and models of best practice. Nursing Congress 2020 organizing committee is confident that participants will benefit from the high value scientific program. We welcome all the researchers/practitioners to join us at Tokyo, Japan for two days of stimulating discussions, knowledge sharing, and networking events.

To know more about World Nursing Congress 2020 please download the conference brochure through https://nursingcongress.nursingconference.com/conference-brochure.php