General
code azure
What does code azure mean?
Slang for effectively withholding aggressive resuscitation on a terminal patient — a 'do nothing much' code, contrasted with a full code blue.
"Given the prognosis, it was quietly managed as a code azure."
Origin
Play on emergency 'code' colours; US hospital slang.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'code azure'?
It is slang for effectively withholding aggressive resuscitation on a hopeless, terminal patient — a quiet 'do nothing much' response, contrasted with a full code blue.
Where does the name come from?
It plays on the colour-coded emergency 'code' system (like code blue), using azure to signal a deliberately low-intensity response.
Is code azure an official protocol?
No. It is informal US hospital slang, and the underlying practice raises ethical questions around resuscitation decisions.
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