MRI In Situ Mock Code Blue Training - Leading Practice Submission

COOSA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

MRI DEPARTMENT

In Situ Mock Code Blue Training

According to the American Journal of Critical Care (September 2016, Volume 25, No. 5) patients who
have a cardiac arrest in the hospital have a survival rate of approximately 10.0% to 23.9%. Nurses
experience high levels of anxiety and have difficulty recalling the knowledge and demonstrating the skills
required during medical emergencies because skills learned in BLS/ACLS often diminish quickly if not
utilized.
With the goal of producing better patient outcomes and promoting MRI safety precautions, Coosa Valley
Medical Center has taken a pro-active approach to responding to medical emergencies inside the MRI
scan room. Since the inception of our in situ mock code blue training program in 2012, our process has
improved responder confidence, knowledge of MRI safety, response times, and overall performance.
Training sessions are conducted quarterly and involve patient scenarios with discussions led by an
assigned code leader. The code leader changes each quarter to give everyone an opportunity at critical
thinking. Simulation of the mock code takes place with a real patient, real responders, and real
equipment. Debriefing sessions occur following the simulations to assist with quality improvement. In
addition, we provide Code Blue education to key departments during our annual MRI Safety Training.
Please see Exhibit A for Code Blue education slides.

CODE BLUE AND MRI SAFETY
1

TRAINING PLATFORM

Response times from the MRI team are immediate with additional first responders arriving to the MRI
department within 45 seconds.

• Once a cardiac/respiratory emergency has been identified in the MRI scan room, MRI employees
respond immediately by announcing a Code Blue emergency through the hospital paging system.
This alerts first responders from other departments and puts them in route within seconds.

• A very important goal of the MRI team is to have the patient out of the MRI scan room before
first responders arrive.

• Trained and certified MRI staff perform compressions or rescue breathing while the patient is
being removed from the MRI scan table in Zone IV to the safe Zone II.

• Stretcher height is adjusted quickly to ensure quality compressions.
• Ambu bag is attached to O2 tank and placed over the patient’s nose and mouth.
• Compressions continue while the patient is prepared for the AED. Compressions are continued

until prompted by the AED to discontinue CPR.
• First responders from other departments arrive and assist with CPR/AED/O2. The MRI safe

stretcher is surrounded by responders to ensure safe transport.
• ED Physician becomes code leader and provides direction where deemed necessary.
• LOAD and GO to the appropriate treatment area!

CODE BLUE AND MRI SAFETY
2

EXHIBIT A

CODE BLUE AND MRI SAFETY
3

CODE BLUE AND MRI SAFETY
4

CODE BLUE AND MRI SAFETY
5

CODE BLUE AND MRI SAFETY
6