US Medical Term · emergency
Code Blue
Código azul
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Code Blue |
| Spanish (Español) | Código azul |
| Chinese (中文) | 藍色代碼 |
| Korean (한국어) | 코드 블루 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Mã xanh (cấp cứu tim phổi) |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Code Blue |
| Portuguese (Português) | Código azul |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | Code Blue (ภาวะฉุกเฉินหัวใจ) |
| Japanese (日本語) | コードブルー |
What it means
Code Blue is an emergency announcement used in US hospitals indicating that a patient is experiencing cardiac or respiratory arrest — meaning the heart has stopped or the patient is not breathing. When Code Blue is called, a rapid response team rushes to the patient's location with a crash cart containing defibrillators, medications, and other life-saving equipment. CPR is performed until the team arrives. Family members in the room are typically asked to step out. If you hear 'Code Blue' announced overhead, it means staff are responding to a life-threatening emergency somewhere in the hospital. This is a critical emergency requiring immediate medical intervention.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
Why did they announce a Code Blue over the hospital intercom?
¿Por qué anunciaron un código azul por el intercomunicador del hospital?
A Code Blue means a patient's heart has stopped and the team is rushing to help.
Un código azul significa que el corazón de un paciente se detuvo y el equipo está corriendo a ayudar.
What should I do if I hear a Code Blue while visiting my family member?
¿Qué debo hacer si escucho un código azul mientras visito a mi familiar?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026