MET calls, Code Blues and Clinical Reviews

Question 1

Code Blue

Answer 1

It is called when a person has either stopped breathing or who does not have a heart beat. It requires an immediate response.

Question 2

Medical Emergency Team (MET)

Answer 2

occurs when the aim is to prevent a cardiac or respiratory arrest. There is usually a 5 minute window for a team to arrive.

Question 3

A Clinical Review

Answer 3

occurs when a clinician is concerned about a patient, but the parameters do not indicate that the patient is in MET criteria yet. (This can be a grey area though, as if the patient is deteriorating relatively quickly, the nurse can call a MET rather than a clinical review). A review should occur within 15-30 minutes (depending on the rationale for the call).

Question 4

An example is as follows (but please familiarise yourself with the hospital’s criteria when you are on clinical placement):

Answer 4