Faheem Ahmed Khan1, Ting Lyu2, Eng Kiang Lee3, Shekhar Dhanvijay3, Amit Kansal3, Monika Gulati Kansal3, Rou An Tan3, Jared D'Souza3, Yee Shay Lee3, Nicholas Lim4, Mei Pheng Liew5, Ian Cerdana3, Patricia Leong3, Chee Keat Tan3. 1. Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, National University Health System (NUHS), 609606, Singapore. Electronic address: Faheem_Ahmed_Khan@nuhs.edu.sg. 2. Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, National University Health System (NUHS), 609606, Singapore. Electronic address: Ting_Lyu@nuhs.edu.sg. 3. Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, National University Health System (NUHS), 609606, Singapore. 4. Group Facility Management, JurongHealth Campus (JHC), National University Health System (NUHS), 609606, Singapore. 5. Medical Informatics, JurongHealth Campus (JHC), National University Health System (NUHS), 609606, Singapore.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prompt identification and management of patients having clinical deterioration on wards is one of the key steps to reduce in-hospital cardiac arrests (IHCA). Our organization implemented a novel Automated Code Blue Alert and Activation (ACBAA) system since 1st March 2018. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective before-and-after ACBAA system implementation study in JurongHealth Campus (JHC) of National University Health system (NUHS), Singapore. In JHC, code blue can be activated by both manual activation and ACBAA system activation from 1st March 2018. The ACBAA system will be activated when any of the pre-defined peri-arrest criteria is met. The primary outcome of the study was the incidence of IHCA. The secondary outcome included return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) of IHCA and in-hospital survival to home discharge of code blue activation. OUTCOMES: The incidence of IHCA per 1000 hospital admissions after-ACBAA system implementation was 14.6% lower than before-ACBAA system though not statistically significant [relative risk (RR): 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55-1.34, P > 0.05]. Compared to the before-ACBAA system period, the after-ACBAA system period had a trend for higher rate of survival to home discharge after IHCA (RR: 2.13, 95% CI 0.65-6.93, P > 0.05) with good neurological outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a novel ACBAA system has shown a trend in reducing IHCA incidence. In the era of digitalised healthcare system, the ACBAA system is practical and advisable to implement in order to reduce IHCA. Further studies are required to validate the criteria for peri-arrest code blue activation.
BACKGROUND: Prompt identification and management of patients having clinical deterioration on wards is one of the key steps to reduce in-hospital cardiac arrests (IHCA). Our organization implemented a novel Automated Code Blue Alert and Activation (ACBAA) system since 1st March 2018. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective before-and-after ACBAA system implementation study in JurongHealth Campus (JHC) of National University Health system (NUHS), Singapore. In JHC, code blue can be activated by both manual activation and ACBAA system activation from 1st March 2018. The ACBAA system will be activated when any of the pre-defined peri-arrest criteria is met. The primary outcome of the study was the incidence of IHCA. The secondary outcome included return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) of IHCA and in-hospital survival to home discharge of code blue activation. OUTCOMES: The incidence of IHCA per 1000 hospital admissions after-ACBAA system implementation was 14.6% lower than before-ACBAA system though not statistically significant [relative risk (RR): 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55-1.34, P > 0.05]. Compared to the before-ACBAA system period, the after-ACBAA system period had a trend for higher rate of survival to home discharge after IHCA (RR: 2.13, 95% CI 0.65-6.93, P > 0.05) with good neurological outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a novel ACBAA system has shown a trend in reducing IHCA incidence. In the era of digitalised healthcare system, the ACBAA system is practical and advisable to implement in order to reduce IHCA. Further studies are required to validate the criteria for peri-arrest code blue activation.
Authors: Ting Lyu; Faheem Ahmed Khan; Shanaz Matthew Sajeed; Amit Kansal; Monika Gulati Kansal; Shekhar Dhanvijay; Rou An Tan; Jared D'Souza; Ian Cendana; Patricia Leong; Chee Keat Tan Journal: Int J Emerg Med Date: 2021-05-31