Code Blue, Is It Really Blue?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate the characteristics and results of code blue applications in our hospital. METHODS: Data of patients with code blue between January 2019 and July 2021 were retrospectively analysed. Patients' age, gender, code blue call time and location, true-false call rate and reasons, arrival time to unit, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) time and results were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 203 codes blue (87 false, 116 true) were evaluated in the study. The most common cause of false code blue was syncope. The mean age of the patients in true codes blue was 74.73+-13.04 years. 47.4% (n=55) of the patients were male and 52.6% (n=61) were female. While 31% (n=36) of the codes blue were in working hours (08.00-17.00), 69% (n=80) were in after hours (17.00-08.00). The most of the code blue were called by internal medicine and neurology departments. The mean time for the code blue team to arrive to the location was 92.37+-36.56 seconds. 60.3% of the recusicated patient had spontaneous circulation, 39.7% died. Having a shockable rhythm and recieving the code blue in working hours were associated with successful CPR. Within 70 patients with spontaneous circulation, 65 were transferred to the intensive care units of our hospital, while 5 were transferred to other hospitals. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We found that the mean time for the code blue team to arrive was less than three minutes and having a shockable first cardiac rhythm had a positive effect on returning spontaneous circulation.

Keywords

• cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• code blue
• mortality