How to call a code?

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Apr 8, 2006

At our hospital, it is a "code 7"...weird, huh? Most places it's a code blue. I am not sure why it's like that....we either call ext 3600 or 0 for the operator and tell them to call the code overhead.
Stupid question, but what do the pharmacists do in a code? At the hospital I work at, they don't respond to a code. Security does, however, and stands outside the door to direct traffic, handle unruly family members, etc.

At some hospitals, the pharmacists respond and they can prepare the drugs, calculate dosages, etc. At the previous hospital where I worked, pharmacists took ACLS and PALS right alongside the RN's, PA's and docs.

pugmum · Apr 8, 2006

Once an arrest is identified, the code button on the wall above the pts. bed is pushed, and the alarm rings at the station...the unit clerk phones a number that is connected to the overhead paging system, and a code is called hospital wide which alerts the code team. At the same time the nurse usually shouts down the hallway to get help, and enough people respond to bring the crash cart and assist until the code team arrives.

Similar situation at other hospitals I've worked at, only some do not have code buttons, and it is usually shout down the hall to summon help and get the code team.

grace90, LPN, LVN · Jun 25, 2007

So, does that mean if the nurse finds a patient not breathing, etc. she calls out down the hall for someone else to call the code, or picks up the patients phone to call the operator, and then turns her attention to the patient? How long does it take a team to respond? What kinds of healthcare workers are on the teams?Thank you!

Call the code first, or tell someone else to that you know will immediately respond and do it. You need to get the help on the way first. At my place we holler out to the hall, call a special number, tell them Code Blue room whatever, there's a code button on the wall we hit, too, that causes a bunch of lights to flash outside the room. The operator pages it overhead and repeats it about every minute or two. Until the team arrives, the first things to do are get the pt supine and start compressions while someone else gets the crash cart and sets up the suction equipment and someone else starts bagging. Those 30 compressions kill the heck out of your back.

Our code team is QUICK. It only takes about a minute to minute and a half to get everybody there. The team consists of an ER doc who usually arrives first and is then relieved by the internal med doc, usually 2 ICU nurses, 2 respiratory therapists, the floor nurses, IV team, orderlies and the house supervisor. I think security also waits outside the room, and if the chaplain is in he does, too. Oh, yeah, lab personnel also come. I hate codes. :uhoh21:

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jun 25, 2007

I work in the PICU, there is a blue code button right at the bedside on the wall (same area where the O2 is, etc) and we just hit that real fast and the code is called and the code team is there.

Also at the bedside for every patient in our unit is a code sheet with the patients weigh in kilos also with the dosage for every code drug that way no one has to figure anything out, it is all right there what and how much they need based on weight (and we do daily weights).