Being called to a Code Blue is routine for an ER doctor in a large hospital. As chair of the Emergency Department at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., Dr. Marc Larsen says they may see five to ten cardiac arrests each month. But even with running codes frequently, he believes the Redivus Health mobile application can make a difference in patient outcomes.
“The app mentally slows you down. It puts things into slow motion, in a good way,” Dr. Larsen says. “There’s so much adrenaline during a Code Blue. It can be chaotic.”
“The app gives you the opportunity to realize that the basic ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) algorithm is pretty simple,” he continues. “There are very specific steps to take to resuscitate someone, but if your adrenaline is pumping, you may try to move too fast or skip steps.”
Saving a Life
Using the Redivus cardiac arrest tool during a recent Code Blue helped Dr. Larsen keep treatment on track for the patient with positive results.
“I was using the app to run the code while another doctor was doing resuscitation,” he says. “We know the ACLS algorithms, but the app allowed us to do more continuous CPR with less interruptions and decrease the time doing things that don’t add value. We only used the app for 5 minutes, and we achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and the patient lived.”
Improving Focus
For Dr. Larsen, trusting the app to navigate through the correct steps for treatment and run the appropriate timers means increased focus on the patient.
“We know the current ACLS algorithm but if you don’t do it on a regular basis, it’s easy to revert back to old methods,” he explains. “The app slows you down and keeps you focused on each step.”
After using the app on multiple patients for cardiac arrest and sepsis, he sees the potential for the Redivus Health app to improve treatment.
“For places that rarely see stroke or sepsis, this app would be very helpful,” Dr. Larsen says. “And the Code Blue app would be helpful for anybody – at any size hospital.”