hed: New Code Response Team
The hospital’s CPR committee has developed a designated Code Response Team to improve the timeliness and appropriateness of care for all patients requiring CPR. The CPR committee has designated specific membership for the Team, has clearly identified the each member’s roles and responsibilities, and has provided continuous training for and feedback to the Team.
After reviewing the hospital’s cardiopulmonary response (code response) process, the committee developed the Team, which consists of physicians from Medicine, Surgery and Anesthesia, nurses from the Coronary Care Unit, and respiratory therapists. There is a clearly defined code leader and first responders, such as the patient's nurse and surrounding physicians, who will provide basic life support including early defibrillation until the whole Team arrives. It is imperative for first responders to be very explicit in describing their location and nature of the emergency when calling the hospital operator.
Team members are trained together at the Center for Medical Simulation. Their training consists of team management skills as well as a review of the ACLS algorithms, emergency equipment, and documentation of the event. The training will be ongoing as Team membership changes.
The Team will be under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Rothschild, who will be responsible for reviewing the process and outcomes. He will provide continuous feedback and direction to both the team and the CPR committee. Dr. Rothschild can be reached by BWH/ Partners pager # 33987.