How to call a code?

LydiaGreen · Jan 20, 2004

All rooms at our hospital have a wall pad over each patient's bed with buttons for code blue, staff needs assistance, etc. When one of those buttons is pushed, it sounds a special alarm over the PA system and every telephone in the building displays the exact location. I have only had to push the button once as a student and the team was there by the time I had flattened the bed (there's a special handle to pull just under the edge of the bed for CPR, flattens the bed in an instant) and removed the pillows. But, you really need to check the policy and procedure manual at every agency, the P&P varies from place to place. You NEED to know the P&P for everything at a placement. In Ontario, it is the student's responsibility to know each agency's P&P manual... they are HUGE. But, you need to know what to do before something happens.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2004

I call from the room, if I don't think people on the unit are hearing then I'll yell down the hall. Then I'll start chest compressions, etc.

LilgirlRN, ADN, RN · Jan 20, 2004

Many years ago, the hospital operator where I worked was orienting a new operator. She was only supposed to show her how to turn on the overhead paging system, but she actually turned it on. I heard her say " and then you say attention, attention CODE BLUE CCU." About that time the doors at either end of the unit burst open, the CRNA, RT, house supervisor came running in. WE had to tell them it was all a big mistake after ascertaining that none of us had actually called. :)

ashour · Apr 7, 2006

i need help iam going to give lecture about code blue procedure and policy please and please help me i need detalis

thanks iam working in ksa tabuk region

vamedic4, EMT-P · Apr 7, 2006

We have code blue buttons in the rooms..every room. Push that and it pages the code team via pager ..no overhead paging. ICU fellow, ER attending, some ICU nurses, resp. therapists and pharmacists all attend.

vamedic4

rn/writer, RN · Apr 7, 2006

i need help iam going to give lecture about code blue procedure and policy please and please help me i need detalis
thanks iam working in ksa tabuk region

the above posts contain many details. if you need more than what's already been explained, i suggest you ask specific questions.

nicolentony · Apr 7, 2006

The person who finds the person initiates the code. I was the first "on scene" to the patients room last week who was in Vtach. I assessed the monitor, felt for a pulse, saw he was turning blue, went out into the hall and from the bottom of my diaphragm yelled "CODE BLUE ALPHA 116." (Our floor's wing and room number.) I followed it with a "I got VTACH. I need help NOW!" So, that the other nurses on the floor knew exactly what was up. I start bagging the patient and once the defibrillator got there we shocked him back into SR.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Apr 7, 2006

Blue button on teh wall that says code. push it. then the intercom goes off "code blue 4 west room 405" the whole while the code blue bell is ringing in pt's room and the blue light goes off over the door.

or call special hospital phone # for codes and tell them.

or if you can't get to the button easily from where you are w/ the pt, you could always scream "call a code" and someone will call for you.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Apr 7, 2006

Our rooms are equipt with a code button for emergencies. It calls for immediate code team and security (that is in the case of violence or what not).

We also can call down to the receptionist and use code colors or numbers to start the alert.

Or when worse comes to worse...you yell your head off till someone notices! LOL!

mom23RN · Apr 7, 2006

How do you call a code at your hospital? (Forgive my ignorance...Nursing semester I, week II.)

All of our rooms have code buttons right next to the bed. You just push it.

Zachary2011 · Apr 7, 2006

As all have mentioned different hospitals have different ways of calling codes, ........ first thing is be sure and assess the pt. and not just the monitor before calling a code. Also be certain the pt. is not a DNR before calling a code. Every floor should have at least 1 crash cart and you should start CPR right away and bag the pt. right away. By thyis time their should be help for you and even before a Doc shows up he should be on a monitor and if V-Fib or V-Tach(pulseless) shock the pt. Give Epi right away and possibly Atropine (unless has had a heart transplant, then Atropine does no good), if pt is diabetic give 1 amp of D50. This is all ACLS protocol , and by protocol you can do any of these life saving measures without a Dr. at bedside. I work in an ER and many times we dont call the codes , we have all we need there...... now Pharmacy responds to all codes called overhead which is wonderful, no reason to even break open the crash cart. Just a hint, if you feel no radial pulse they still may have a pulse, on avg. you need a systolic of at least 90 for a radial, and 60 for a femoral. But please start cpr asap, there has been so many times I respond to a code on the floors and there 4 or 5 nurses standing around the pt. as if just waiting on someone to say okay boys and girls you can start CPR and ACLS now.

sabRN2b05, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 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.