What it means
The overhead or pager alert used in many hospitals for a cardiac or respiratory arrest. The code team, often a provider, critical care nurses, a respiratory therapist and a pharmacist, comes with the crash cart to run advanced life support. Some hospitals now use plain-language alerts such as "medical emergency" instead of color codes.
For the nurse
The first nurse to find the client calls for help and activates the code, starts CPR (unless the client has a DNR order), and has the crash cart and defibrillator brought. Know your role, whether compressions, recording or bringing equipment, and keep the client's code status current.
Related terms
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Emergency chest compressions, with or without rescue breaths, to keep blood flowing when the heart has stopped.
resuscitation
Emergency treatment to restore breathing, heartbeat or blood circulation.
automated external defibrillator
A portable device that checks the heart rhythm through pads on the chest and gives an electric shock if one is needed.
code status
A client's documented wishes for resuscitation if the heart or breathing stops.