What do you think about 'slow code?'

Here Dr. Brian Goldman describes a "slow code" or "Hollywood code," when doctors are slow to respond to a "code blue" that signals a patient in cardiac arrest because they believe the intervention is futile.

"Slow code" is an example of the hospital slang Dr. Goldman, an emergency room doctor and CBC broadcaster, writes about in The Secret Language of Doctors.

I posted this on our Parent Voices at Holland Bloorview Facebook group yesterday and there was a discussion about the ethics of not being upfront with families that a full code won't be performed.

Doctors are obliged to do a full code unless the patient or next of kin say it's okay not to. Sometimes families insist on full intervention even when doctors recommend against it, which is what causes the dilemma for professionals.

I tweeted this question to Dr. Goldman:

21h:

@NightShiftMD -- how often is slow code called w kids w complex medical needs/and or developmental #disability? http:/

He replied:

Dr. Brian Goldman ‏@NightShiftMD 18h18 hours ago

@LouiseKinross no data just anecdotal observations. It happens in that group of patients.

Check out the discussion on Parent Voices and leave a comment here.