Structured redesign of a hospital-based code response team using Six Sigma tools and human factors principles to facilitate teamwork

Introduction: Response to in-hospital cardiac arrest (a “code”) requires the coordinated efforts of a team of medical professionals in a high-stress, high-risk healthcare setting. This can lead to a chaotic situation. Excessive noise and confusion must be improved to deliver the most effective care. Purpose: To develop a paradigm for efficient and effective code response. Methods: An interprofessional team used Six Sigma tools to identify characteristics of an “ideal” process for the two identified phases of code response. Further discussion and application of human factors engineering principles produced a paradigm for the code response process. Discussion/conclusions: The aim of this structured redesign of our institution's code response process was to reduce the amount of nonproductive noise and confusion during code response through clarification of roles and responsibilities of code team members. The application of engineering principles and interprofessional nature of the redesign group were vital to the successful redesign process.