Efficiency of code blue in a tertiary care hospital: A lesson we learned Code blue in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Aim: Code Blue (CB) is an emergency that requires appropriate sequential actions gained through training with organized teamwork. This research has been conducted to evaluate the efficacy, efficiency, and application results of code blue which is used in our hospital. Material and Method: CB was called between years 2014 and 2015 and 303 patients were examined retrospectively. Results: The mean age of the patients was 68.74 (range 24-92), the number of female patients was 157 (51.81\%), and male patients was 146 (48.19\%). The mean time to reach the patient was 2.83 +/- 1.15 (range: 0.16-8.53) minutes, and the time when most CB were called was between 13.00 and 15.00 pm (p>0.059). CB calls were most commonly made from neurosurgery, neurology, and respiratory intensive care units. The most often CB calls were made on weekdays (p>0.05). Sex was not associated with mortality (p>0.05). Worst outcome was associated with the outpatient ward, nephrology ward, nephrology ICU, and obstetrics ward (p<0.05). CB team's reaching time to the patient was not associated with mortality (p>0.05). Time of CB calls was associated with mortality. Worst outcome was observed during 01:00 to 06:00 am (p<0.05). Mortality was observed in patients who have received a statistically significant longer period of CPR (p<0.05). Discussion: The outcome of CB call is particularly dependent on critical interventions. Although the time to reach our patients was similar to the literature values; survival rate will be increased by the providing continuous CPR training for all hospital staff at intervals not longer than 6 months for the intervention to be performed until the arrival of the CB team.