"Code Blue" - two simple words that result in nurses and physicians springing into action to preserve life, restore health, relieve suffering, limit disability, and reverse clinical death. With proper education and practice, the management of a patient in cardiac, respiratory, or cardiopulmonary arrest can be optimized to provide for the best chance of recovery.

CODE BLUE not only presents an overview of a code scenario using an interactive format, it also provides detailed descriptions of the thoughts and actions of each team member. Each disc is actually nine programs in one. There is the dramatization of the code, then a separate program of each of the seven members of the code team, and finally detail of the medication protocols involved in the particular procedure. This is a totally unique presentation.

This state-of-the-art series explores the team approach to a Code Blue response through interactive scenarios. The first program, Roles of the Team Members, uses a mock code setting to describe in detail the responsibility of each member. The remaining three programs are Code Blue case studies: Ventricular Fibrillation, Drowning, and Anaphylaxis. Each of these three Codes is presented in its entirety, with all team members performing their assessments and interventions in real time.

In addition, icons are featured allowing the viewer to click and receive a more detailed description about the role of each member as they explain exactly what they are thinking and doing throughout the event. The final icon provides information about the treatment protocol for particular pathology, including medications and defibrillation, as well as equipment used for vascular access and intubation.

This series is an excellent resource for creating Code Blue teams or providing orientation/education to physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who respond to resuscitations.

The four programs in the series are:

ROLES OF THE TEAM MEMBERS
The roles of a Code Blue team are demonstrated in this program as staff go through a mock code scenario on an inpatient unit. Each member, including the team leader, bedside nurses, anesthesiologist, procedure physician, medication nurse, CPR nurse, and recorder, describes in detail the responsibilities he or she has during resuscitation with Code Blue experts, who provide immediate feedback and insight.

VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION
This program demonstrates the resuscitation of an inpatient who suffers an unwitnessed pulseless arrest on an acute care floor. It begins when a nurse finds an unresponsive patient and describes her actions until the Code Blue team arrives. When they enter the room, the dynamics of the group is demonstrated as each person assumes his or her role and carries out appropriate assessments and interventions. During this scenario, the algorithm for management of ventricular fibrillation, according to the guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association, is followed.

DROWNING
The Code Blue Team has been notified that a patient who was found apneic and pulseless in a pond will be arriving in the Emergency Department in several minutes. This program begins by showing how the team members prepare for the arrival of the patient and then
immediately start their evaluations and treatment protocols when the patient enters the room. In addition to medical management of drowning, other issues, such as when to stop resuscitation and family presence during a code, are discussed.

ANAPHYLASIS
Although many healthcare professionals are comfortable and competent in resuscitation of adults, fewer are proficient in pediatrics. Even in facilities where children are not normally cared for, staff must be able to provide emergency care to them. This principle is illustrated here as a child visiting his grandparent on a geriatric floor has an anaphylactic allergic reaction to a cookie innocently given to him. Using the guidelines for Pediatric Advanced Life Support, each team member assumes a role, assessing and managing the child's care. Specific pediatric issues such as use of the Broselow Pediatric Emergency Tape, medication doses, equipment sizes, and intraosseous needle placement are highlighted.

Upon completion of these four programs, the learner will be able to:
*Describe the value of mock codes or simulations.
*List and define each of the roles of a Code Blue response team.
*Discuss how roles are assigned to staff.
*State equipment that must be at the bedside during a Code Blue.
*Recognize algorithms for care as determined by the American Heart Association.
*Explain how the needs of the patient's family are met during resuscitation.

Includes Instructor Guide containing learner objectives, discussion questions, and in many cases a glossary; and a Self-Grading Test CD-ROM that offers a pretest, and computer-graded test.

*Closed Captioned
*As the programs are interactive, the viewer can stop and start at will. The programs include not only the code itself, but also scenarios featuring each of the eight team players. Each scenario is around 10 minutes