Code Blue Application and Results in Our Hospital: a 5-Year Single-Center Analysis

Abstract

Aim: The code blue (CB) system is used in hospitals to provide a rapid and effective response in situations requiring emergency medical intervention. We aim to evaluate CB calls in our hospital and raise awareness retrospectively. Materials and Methods: CB forms related to calls received via the CB system at Muş State Hospital between 01.05.2019 and 01.05.2024 were retrospectively reviewed and recorded. Results: In our study, there were a total of 295 CB calls for patients. The average age of the patients was 65.36±8.89 years, and 124 (42%) were female. Of the 295 calls, 137 (46.4%) were made during working hours, and 158 (53.6%) were made outside. The difference between the number of CB calls made during and outside working hours was not statistically significant (p=0.433). The average response time to CB calls was 1.80±0.87 minutes, with no significant difference in response times between working hours and outside of working hours (p=0.471). The average duration of CPR performed on patients was 30.4±12.7 minutes. Incorrect CB calls were identified in a total of 45 cases. Of these calls, 16 (35.5%) were made during working hours, and 29 (64.5%) were made outside of working hours, with the incorrect CB calls being significantly higher outside of working hours (p=0.019). Among the departments and units where CB calls were made, the highest number of calls came from the Internal Medicine Department (16.27%). This was followed by the Angio Unit (11.86%) and the Pulmonology Department (9.49%). The most common probable diagnosis for CB calls was cardiac arrest, with a total of 98 cases (33.22%) related to this diagnosis. This was followed by respiratory depression (23.39%) and low oxygen saturation (15.25%). Conclusion: The rapid and well-trained response of the team attending CB calls increases patients’ chances of survival. Regular in-hospital training and drills are important to reduce the rates of incorrect CB calls.

Keywords

• code blue
• response time
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• incorrect code blue; in-hospital training

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