Projects

To Improve the Code Blue (cardiac arrest) Response Time to less than 5 minutes within 6 months in Singapore General Hospital (SGH)

Project Categories

Care Process & Redesign

Training ＆ Education

Platform

National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals

Cluster

SingHealth

31 December 2021

To improve Code Blue (cardiac arrest) response time to less than 5 minutes within 6 months. Code Blue response times improved significantly, enhancing patient survival rates.

Year Submitted: 2021
Published Date: 31 December 2021

Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Training ＆ Education, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Job Redesign, Access To Care, Waiting Time, Learning Theories ＆ Framework, Simulated Training

About this Content

Aims

To improve Code Blue (cardiac arrest) response time to less than 5 minutes within 6 months.

Background

Delayed Code Blue responses (median: 6.8 minutes) in SGH reduced survival rates. Identified issues included manual activations, manpower gaps, and communication inefficiencies.

Methods

Implemented PDCA cycles: dedicated Code Blue phones, geographical team coverage, standard training, simulations, and enhanced documentation processes.

Results

Reduced response times from 6.8 minutes to 4.3 minutes (p<0.001). ROSC rates improved from 55.6% to 76.5% (p<0.05). SMS alert times shortened, and incidents reported increased significantly.

Conclusion

Code Blue response times improved significantly, enhancing patient survival rates. Model adopted for new Outram Campus buildings.

Lessons Learnt

Leadership, collaborative processes, and training are key to improving emergency workflows. Automation and real-time feedback sustain results.

Additional Information

Winner of the 2020 HIP Best Practice Medal for Care Redesign.

Keywords

Code Blue, Cardiac Arrest, Response Time, Workflow Redesign, Emergency Care, PDCA, Resuscitation, Training

Innovators' Details

Healthcare Cluster(s)	SingHealth
Organization(s) Involved	Singapore General Hospital
Platform(s)	National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
Healthcare Professional Group(s)	Allied Health, Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Medical
Applicable Specialty or Discipline	Cardiology, Emergency Medicine
Project Lead(s)	Carrie Leong Kah-Lai, Claudia Tien Jong-Chie
Project Member(s)	Phua Ghee Chee Ng Shin Yi Patricia Yong Yueh Li Norazlina Shaikh Ibrahim Mattar Tan Hui Li Lau Yoke Yen Poh Juliana Quek Bak Siang Yap Chew Theng Lim Hwee Ling Teo Wei-Shan Constance Tan Yin Yin Adele

Connect with this contributor!

Dr Carrie Leong Kah-Lai - carrie.leong.k.l@singhealth.com.sg

Project Attachment

360_SGH_NHIP_2021_To_improve_the_Code_Blue_cardiac_arrest_Response_Time_combine.pdf