Medical personel will try to revive someone if their heart or breathing stops, unless the patient designates clearly, and in writing, that they do not wish to be revived (resuscitated). In hospitals, they announce, “Code Blue” (or similar signals) to alert personel to respond immediately. Therefore, Code status designates whether someone wishes to be resuscitated or not.

Resuscitation includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and other potentially life-saving interventions. Some patients decide in advance that they do not want heroic measures. It is the doctor’s responsibility to obtain that information and the patient to communicate it, so people are not resuscitated against their will.

Unfortunately, most people don’t know the facts about resuscitation and have not discussed these issues with their physicians.

For those who decline resuscitation, physicians write a clear order: Do Not Resuscitate (DNR).

Therefore Code status represents the patient’s wishes regarding end-of-life care.

Laws and terminology vary from state to state.

For a thorough discussion, read a scene similar to those found in A Death Prolonged.