Code Comfort: A Code Blue Alternative for Patients with DNRs - HBR
Code Comfort provides a response for patients whose code status is DNR and who desire comfort measures only. It is a compassionate way to manage pain and suffering — including emotional suffering — during an acute crisis without providing unwanted care. Hospital staff responding to a Code Comfort may include palliative care physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, chaplains and others who are prepared to rapidly address the patient’s physical symptoms, as well as the suffering and concerns of family members.
As is true for CPR efforts, we know teamwork matters to relieve the suffering of dying patients. Code Comfort protocols include an algorithm-driven method for assessing and addressing symptoms such as pain, agitation and dyspnea. For example, a patient suffering from severe, acute dyspnea would be given morphine and increased oxygen, her head would be elevated, a fan might be used to provide a comforting breeze, and she’d receive other measures to reduce anxiety.
Importantly, Code Comfort ensures that no patient or family suffers alone. Nurses are present during the code, actively treating the patient’s symptoms and calling in other team members as needed, all of which provides essential emotional support and reassurance
Code Comfort: A Code Blue Alternative for Patients with DNRs
Melissa P. Phipps, John D. Phipps; December 9, 2014
