Slow Code, Know What to Look For.

Slow Code, Know What to Look For.

What is the definition of the "slow code?"

Well firstly let me share with you, the slow code is shrouded in secrecy. Unless it happens to you, which is very difficult to assess considering the crisis you would be in when it happens, you may never become aware that it has happened to you.


Slow Code ~ Definition

"SLOW" codes are a cardiopulmonary resuscitative efforts "that involve a deliberative decision not to attempt aggressively to bring a patient back to life. Either because the full armamentarim of pharmacologic and mechanical interventions is not used, or because the length of the effort is shortened, a full attempt at resuscitation is not made." 1(p.467) "Slow" codes are performed infrequently and, when they are, it is usually because the health care team feels that a full aggressive code would be futile or possibly detrimental to the patient. When the topic of "slow" codes is approached, both nurses and physicians have issues with "slow" codes. Some express the impression that when they are used it is because there is no other recourse. Others feel that "slow" codes should never be an option. 


My personal experience with the slow code is that most medical professionals I speak with deny it's existence, however it is my own experiences within the medical profession that lead me to believe otherwise! My last experience was back in September 2009.

My Qualifications

Being the mother of a child with not only a terminal condition (trisomy 18, Incompatible with

Life) we also live with the catastrophic loss of 3/4s of Brennagh's bowel. She was deemed to have barely enough viable bowel to live/survive back in 2013. ( Short Gut/Bowel Syndrome)

For 8 years we have had weekly visits with medical team members ranging from the surgeons/professors, paediatricians, nurses, dietitians, physios, radiologists, gps, the list is endless.

We spent 2 weeks on life support at Auckland Star Ship Hospital after life saving surgery in Palmerston North July 2103 then we were transported to Wellington Children's Hospital where we remained for 6 months, returning home in January 2014. In this time I experienced one of the most qualified Gastro Teams in the world. At times we had the overseas expertise of world reknowned paediatric surgeons. It was an absolute pleasure to learn from them. The information/education has served u very well with our unique case.

I believe 8 years of dealing with the medical profession and being a parent more than qualifies me to speak on these subjects. Nothing can outrank the love/intuition a parent has for a child.


I also have to say after 8 years of doing this journey I believe my daughter Brennagh is the authority and living proof on these subjects, it's my job to pass on our experience with what is truly possible beyond the diagnosis's

Author ~ Kathleen  McKay