Code Blue

[BingoBoys]

I've been a nurse for 4 years. I work on a med-surg unit. I have participated in a few codes, however it was always another nurse's patient - never mine.

I'm embarrassed to ask this question, but here goes:

If I find a patient without vital signs and it is NOT my patient (therefore I am not aware of their code status), do I a) start compressions right away and call a code, stopping CPR if the primary nurse indicates the patient is DNR, or b) call for the primary nurse to determine the patient's code status before starting CPR.

I assume the answer is b (starting CPR on a patient who is DNR is considered assaulting the patient), however I'm not sure.

Thanks for your help.

[EDNURSE20, BSN]

We don’t use braclets or anything like that. First I’ve heard of it.

But any unstable pt, every nurse is aware of and if they DNR or not.

We just have emergency bells. Press it and in a matter of seconds you will have 20 staff members. So for me, that’s all I would do if I was unsure.

[Swellz]

Where I worked staff, we didn't have code bracelets. We didn't have code buttons or staff assist buttons. We didn't put their code status on the whiteboard or above their bed. You either knew or you didn't. My manager didn't want think we should "label our patients that way" and it wasn't hospital policy. We also didn't have staff phones or Vocera, so the only way to call for your colleagues was to holler or pull the emergency cord in the bathroom and hope someone actually took it seriously.

So, one day, I called a code on someone who was DNR. Fortunately the primary nurse was nearby and it became a rapid response instead. Also fortunately, it was for respiratory issues, so nothing happened against the patient's wishes. But if I'd found her without a pulse, I would've done CPR. I would've had to. But if you're wondering how I called the code, I literally hollered, CALL A CODE.

[Hannah13Banana, ASN, RN]

On 12/21/2018 at 11:34 PM, cleback said:Your facility doesn't use dnr bracelets?

Your facility doesn't use dnr bracelets?

Are you in the us?

My hospital is located in the northeastern US, and we don’t use DNR bracelets or any other type of visual or physical DNR notification in patients’ rooms or on doors.

[DextersDisciple, BSN, RN]

On 1/28/2019 at 2:25 AM, neuroRN111 said:

She's asking a question and some of you are being very rude and condescending. I don't care if you've been a nurse for 10 years, if you don't know something, you don't know! This is how mistakes happen. Nurses like her become afraid to ask questions and end up not doing enough or anything when they should. If you know something as a fellow nurse help each other become better. At the end of the day, our goal is supposed to be to provide the best possible care to the patient, not gloat about what you know and berate someone for not knowing something you feel they should!...KatieMI and DextersDisciple-grow up!

I think you misunderstood my response. I was basically saying “don’t rub it in, this is why she was scared to ask in the first place” to Katie’s post.