EAJAIC
Eurasian Journal of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care

The Eurasian Journal of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (EAJAIC) is an independent-unbiased, peer-reviewed, "double-blind", and open-access journal of current national and international issues and reviews for original clinical and experimental research, interesting case reports, differential diagnoses, editorial opinions, letters to the editor, and educational papers in anesthesiology, algology, and intensive care medicine.

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eISSN: 3023-6738
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Original Article
Are code blue calls being used appropriately?
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study is to emphasize the importance of the blue code system, identify existing deficiencies in its implementation, and contribute to efforts aimed at addressing these shortcomings. Additionally, the study seeks to determine the rate of unnecessary and incorrect blue code activations and contribute to reducing such cases.
Methods: A total of 565 patients were included in the study by retrospectively reviewing the Code Blue Incident Reporting Forms at the University of Health Sciences Kayseri Training and Research Hospital between January 1, 2016, and May 5, 2018.
Results: Of the 565 patients included in the study, 49.9% (n = 284) were female and 51.1% (n = 285) were male. The mean age was 67.9 ± 18,06 years; for females and 67.53 ±18.62 years for males 68.89 ± 16,79 years. The average response time for the resuscitation team to reach the patient was 83.02 ± 51.76 seconds. When the units initiating the blue code calls were analyzed, 54% (n = 305) originated from intensive care units (ICU). In our hospital, 71.7% (n = 405) of blue code calls were evaluated as incorrect activations. The most common reason for blue code activation was respiratory failure/desaturation, accounting for 52% (n = 294) of the cases. Cardiac arrest was the second most common cause, observed in 27.7% (n = 155) of the cases. The most frequently performed intervention was endotracheal intubation, conducted in 50.4% (n = 285) of patients. Among patients who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 52.3% (n = 81) resulted in death.
Conclusion: We found our code blue team to be successful in providing early intervention to patients; however, the rate of incorrect code activations in our hospital was found to be high. For the blue code system to function effectively, it is crucial for hospital administrations to provide continuous training to healthcare personnel and the implementation of appropriate regulatory measures.

Keywords : Code blue, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cardiac arrest, early warning score

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Article available in :
Volume 2, Issue 4, 2025
Page : 111-115
https://doi.org/10.51271/EAJAIC-0040
Article Information
Received : 11 Tem 2025
Accepted : 10 Ağu 2025
Published : 13 Kas 2025
Corresponding Author :

Zeynep Koç: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Koç Z, Silay E. Are code blue calls being used appropriately?. Eur J Anesthesiol Intens Care. 2025;2(4):111-115.

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