How To Be More Effective During Codes  

Code Blues are unwanted but are an inevitable part of healthcare. Clinicians everywhere are doing awesome work but at times, the adrenaline of the situation can lead to negative outcomes. Below are our TOP 5 TIPS you can use to help make codes and critical medical treatments more effective.

1️⃣𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙔𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜

Health care workers are constantly yelling in high-stress situations. Unfortunately, this usually creates a hostile environment in which efficiency plummets. Instead of yelling back and forth at each other focus on keeping everyone calm and highly effective throughout the code. Positioning of vital players in the code team is also important in reducing the amplitude at which a person speaks.

2️⃣𝘾𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙄𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙮 𝘼 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

In many code situations, there is usually a plethora of people. In this sea of people, a clear leader can sometimes be hard to distinguish. It’s important to clearly identify a leader when a patient codes. This leader should remain the same as long as their expertise is within the scope of practice. All new individuals should support the leader rather than looking to take over.

3️⃣𝙏𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙀𝙜𝙤

There’s nothing more disastrous when someone can’t work within their own means. Understanding your skillset and practicing with modesty helps everyone around you, especially the patient. If you are tired or are unable to perform a task, be willing to state that you need help. It does not make you look bad if you are unable to perform a task.

4️⃣𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙀𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙨

As a part of the code team, there may be instances in which you need help or need supplies. Clearly point out an individual to retrieve supplies for you or perform vital tasks. NEVER shout out something generally to the entire group. This may only cause further delays.

5️⃣𝙂𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠

Giving constructive and positive feedback can not only help the situation at hand, but it can also help an individual perform better in the future. Debriefing after a code is a good time to give constructive feedback, or even while a task is being performed. Constantly, look to improve yourself and others around you, this vital trait can drastically improve patient outcomes!

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