CODE BLUE: Basics to Remember in a Cardiac Arrest at RDRHC
(from AHS policy manual)
Before Arrival of Code Team:
1st Nurse
Assess patient for unresponsiveness
Call for help. In patient rooms, pull nurse call cord out of wall panel or push
the “Staff Alert” button
Stay with the patient. Note the time.
Assess ABCs
Initiate CPR
Provide Code Team and ER physician with details of the patient’s history
2nd Nurse
Page the code
Let other nurses know, if possible
Delegate someone to direct traffic
Bring the code cart inside the room and plug in
Take in the backboard and airway
Place the backboard under the patient
Insert airway
Start bagging using a bag-valve mask
Assist with CPR until respiratory therapist and Code Team arrives (or nurses
and physicians if in rural setting)
If the third nurse has not arrived, begin recording on the resuscitation record
once the respiratory therapist arrives
3rd Nurse
Clear the room of extra furniture, visitors and patients
Record details, times, and activities on the resuscitation record
If recording is already being done, make sure the patient’s chart is in room and
provide Code team with equipment as needed
Charge Nurse
Notify the patient’s physician and family
Ensure the Code Blue Button is reset
Take patient’s chart to room if not already done, or designate someone to do
Address needs of family members
Prepare the patient for transfer if indicated
Updated May 2015