Operating Policy and Procedure
HSC OP: 75.08, “Code Blue” Response to Cardio-Pulmonary Arrest or other Emergency Medical Conditions
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Health Sciences Center Operating Policy and Procedure (HSC OP) is to provide guidance and policy in the event of cardio-pulmonary arrest or other emergency medical conditions, both in clinical and non-clinical areas.
REVIEW: This HSC OP will be reviewed on January 1 of each odd-numbered year (ONY) by the TTUHSC Senior Director for Safety Services, Texas Tech Chief of Police, the School of Medicine’s Chief Medical Officer and Director of Nursing Services, and comparable positions at all Campuses, with recommendations for revisions forwarded to the Vice President for Facilities and Safety Services by March 15.
POLICY / PROCEDURE:
Definition: Code Blue signifies a Cardio-Pulmonary arrest or other emergency medical condition, which requires immediate response to intervene in a life threatening situation.
1. Responsibilities in Clinical Areas. In the event of a Code Blue situation in a clinical area, the clinical personnel should do the following:
a. Call the 911 Emergency System to report the medical emergency. As EMS or other external responders are in route, notify departmental receptionists of the code situation and designate a person to meet the responders and guide them to the exact location of the emergency.
b. Initiate CPR, if necessary or appropriate, and intervene to the extent possible based on medical management and equipment available in that location. Designate a person to obtain a crash box from the appropriate clinic and additional medical personnel or supplies as needed.
c. Upon arrival of the EMS personnel, they will transport the patient to the emergency room as necessary.
d. Assist with crowd control as necessary.
2. Responsibilities in Non-Clinical Areas. Persons identifying a Code Blue situation should immediately initiate an emergency
response by calling 911 from a cell phone, or if available, call 911 from any available
TTUHSC phone. Be prepared to give your location to the dispatcher and, if possible,
have someone meet the emergency responders outside the facility to assist in directing
them to the location of the emergency.
NOTE: If phone or other assistance is not available without leaving the person in distress,
an individual may pull the nearest fire alarm pull station to initiate the emergency
response and stay with the individual until emergency assistance is obtained.
3. Provide life support measures according to your level of training or that of available personnel.
4. Specific guidelines regarding procedures and responsibilities to implement this policy are supplemented in the TTUHSC Ambulatory Clinic Policy & Procedure Manual (Number 2.02). Individual campus operating procedures will be reviewed and updated annually by the campus administration and response team with copies of the updated policies provided to the respective campus offices of Texas Tech Police Department, Safety Services, and Risk Management, as applicable.