MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital’s Pulse Heart Institute team launched the Pulse Mega Code Initiative in 2025 to strengthen staff skills and teamwork during cardiac emergencies. The effort grew out of early mock‑code sessions, which gave nurses the opportunity to practice rapid response and resuscitation skills in a supportive setting.
When participation proved challenging, the Code Blue Committee introduced “Code on Wheels,” a mobile training approach that brought short practice sessions directly to the units. This shift made training more accessible, boosted engagement and set the stage for the first large‑scale Mega Code events held Oct. 21 and 23.
These events brought teams from the coronary care unit and Pulse Heart unit together for realistic, hands‑on scenarios. Nurses practiced communication, coordination and technical skills while working through emergencies as a team. With support from the MultiCare simulation team, high‑quality simulation tools helped make the experience practical, realistic and effective.
Tacoma General’s Pulse team is the first cardiac unit in the system to launch this type of training. The team plans to continue hosting Mega Code sessions twice a year to help keep skills sharp and teams prepared.
The initiative has already strengthened teamwork, increased confidence during Code Blue events and supported safer care for patients with life‑threatening conditions. It reflects the Tacoma General Pulse team’s commitment to practical, accessible training that prepares care teams for the moments that matter most.
Written by: Ronan Rutger, RN, MultiCare’s Pulse Heart Institute