| Code |
| LIFE SUPPORT TEAM
TO (AREA) |
RN/ LPN |
Tech/ extern |
Unit secretary |
Student |
|
Indicates a patient is not breathing, has no pulse
or is unresponsive.
Staff that usually
respond to the life support code include: an ACLS
qualified RN from ICU, an ACLS qualified RN from the
ED, the ED physician, the CNL for the unit where the
code is called, other nurses and techs from that
unit, a lab tech, a radiology tech, a respiratory
therapist, the pharmacist (during daytime hours),
the ASC (house supervisor) during night and weekend
hours, security, and any other physicians available
in-house at that time.
|
If code is called on
your unit, respond to the code. You may participate
in the code, or you may be asked to monitor patients
while other nurses are tied up in the emergency. If
not on your unit, do not respond unless directed by
your Charge Nurse If code is called on your patient:
Be prepared to perform CPR, administer medications,
record, monitor vital signs, etc. |
If code is called on
patient not on your unit, you have no responsibility
to respond. If code is called on your patient: Be
prepared to perform CPR, move furniture, get the
code cart or AED, escort the patient's family to a
waiting area, help remove the roommate, and do any
other task as directed by CNL or code team leader
If code is called on a
patient not assigned to you: Be prepared to do any
of the above tasks and to monitor/ care for other
patients on the floor. |
If code is called on patient not on your unit, you
have no responsibility to respond.
If code is called on
your unit: stay at the desk, and be prepared to make
and transfer phone calls, have charts ready, contact
other depts as directed, and perform other tasks as
directed by CNL, physician, or code team leader. |
If code
is called on a patient assigned to you, you may stay
in the room and observe the code proceedings. Be
sure to identify yourself as a student observer
If code is called on patient not assigned to you or
on another unit, with permission from your
instructor, you may go observe the code proceedings.
Be sure to identify yourself as a student observer |
CODE
RED
Indicates fire alarms have been triggered
Charge nurses (CNLs) will delegate individuals to
respond to the fire with a fire extinguisher and
fire blanket.
|
Account
for all of your patients, visitors, and assigned
staff members. Ensure there is no smoke or fire in
your assigned areas. Report headcount to CNL. Be
prepared to evacuate patients and visitors as
directed. Follow directions of CNL |
Account
for all of your patients, visitors. Ensure there is
no smoke or fire in your assigned areas and shut all
doors. Be sure hallways are clear of equipment.
Report headcount to team leader. Follow directions
of team leader and CNL |
Stay at
desk to man the telephones and relay information/
directions to CNL. In the event of an evacuation, be
prepared to evacuate medical records. |
Report
to your instructor or the unit charge nurse. Follow
directions of instructor/ charge nurse. |
DR.
STRONG TO (AREA)
Indicates a need for a show of force. This may be to
help de-escalate a belligerent patient or visitor;
may also be called when lifting assistance is needed
|
If code
is called on your unit:
Respond to calls on your unit and provide assistance
as appropriate or as directed by CNL / security
team. If code is called on another unit: Respond if
directed by CNL. |
If code
is called on your unit: Respond to calls on your
unit and provide assistance as appropriate or as
directed by CNL / security team. If code is called
on another unit:
Respond if directed by CNL. |
If code
is called on your unit: Stay at desk to answer
phones and direct security team as needed If code is
called on another unit you have no responsibility to
respond. |
If code
is called on your unit: Follow the directions given
by your instructor or the CNL |
| CODE
D Indicates
a disaster is being called. Disasters can be
internal (occurring within the hospital) or external
(occurring within the community). |
Follow
the directions given by your CNL |
Follow
the directions given by your CNL |
Follow
the directions given by your CNL |
Follow
the directions given by your instructor or the CNL |
CODE
BLANKET
Indicates an infant/ child is missing or unaccounted
for. |
Check
all pediatric patients to be sure they are in their
rooms and properly attended. Report findings to CNL |
Check
all pediatric patients to be sure they are in their
rooms and properly attended. Report findings to team
leader. Be prepared to stay with unattended peds
patients. |
Stay at
desk to answer phones and direct security team as
needed |
Follow
the directions given by your instructor or the CNL |
|
THROMBOLYTIC TEAM TO: (AREA)
Indicates a patient is
infarcting and is in need of immediate thrombolytic
therapy |
Follow
the directions given by your CNL |
You
have no responsibility to respond to this code. |
For ER/
ICU staff: If code is called on your unit: Stay at
the desk, and be prepared to make and transfer phone
calls, have charts ready, contact other depts as
directed, and perform other tasks as directed by CNL,
physician, or code team leader. If code is called
another unit, you have no responsibility to respond. |
With
permission from your instructor, you may observe the
code proceedings. Be sure to identify yourself as a
student observer |
|
TRAUMA TEAM TO ER
Indicates multiple
trauma patients are arriving in the emergency room
and more assistance is needed |
Follow
the directions given by your CNL |
Follow
the directions given by your CNL |
Follow
the directions given by your CNL |
With
permission from your instructor, you may observe the
code proceedings. Be sure to identify yourself as a
student observer |
