A "code blue" in a hospital is an emergency code indicating that an adult patient is experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, most commonly cardiac arrest (heart stops) or respiratory arrest (breathing stops). It signals that the patient requires immediate resuscitation and advanced medical intervention
. When a code blue is called, a specialized resuscitation team-often including doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other trained personnel-responds quickly to the specified location to perform life-saving procedures such as CPR, intubation, defibrillation, and medication administration
. The announcement typically includes the location within the hospital to guide the team
. Hospitals may have specific policies for code blue responses, including preassigned roles for staff during their shifts or dedicated rapid response teams
. The term originated as hospital jargon and is now widely used internationally to alert staff without alarming patients or visitors
. In summary, a code blue means a patient is in critical condition due to cardiac or respiratory arrest and requires immediate emergency medical attention to attempt resuscitation
