Impact of Obstetrical Emergency Code (Code Pink) Activation on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: A Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Emergency Medicine
• Neonatal Care

Background:

• Obstetrical emergencies necessitate rapid, coordinated responses to minimize adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.
• Standardized emergency codes are vital for swift staff mobilization in hospitals.
• Limited data exist on the implementation and effectiveness of obstetric emergency codes in the Middle East.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of obstetrical emergency code activation (Code Pink) in a tertiary care hospital.
• To assess the impact of Code Pink activation on maternal and neonatal outcomes.
• To identify factors associated with adverse outcomes during obstetrical emergencies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 394 deliveries requiring Code Pink activation at Latifa Women and Children Hospital, Dubai, UAE (January 2020 - December 2022).
• Review of hospital records for maternal and neonatal outcomes, including decision-to-delivery interval (DDI), mode of delivery, and NICU admission.
• Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses using SPSS, including chi-square and t-tests (p < 0.05 significance).

Main Results:

• Fetal distress (72.7%) was the primary indication for Code Pink activation.
• Cesarean sections comprised 90.1% of deliveries; general anesthesia was used in 64.3%.
• Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission occurred in 46.4% of neonates, significantly associated with longer response times (p < 0.001) and cesarean delivery (p = 0.024).

Conclusions:

• Code Pink activation is crucial for urgent, life-saving obstetrical measures, improving maternal and newborn outcomes.
• Enhancing training, simplifying protocols, and employing data-driven strategies are essential for high-quality emergency obstetric care.
• This study provides a foundation for future research and quality improvement initiatives in emergency obstetric care.