Transcript Hospital Emergency Colour Codes

Emergency Code Awareness
For Learners on Placements in
Hospitals
Introduction to Emergency Codes
Learners are being introduced to Hospital Emergency Codes through this
PowerPoint presentation. You are expected to know and understand general
Emergency Code principals following this session.
Once you are in a hospital setting it is important you receive the second step
of this process, the training. This training will include the local notification
process to call a Code, where your Code staging location might be, what your
available resources are and what actions you will take during a Code call.
Find out who the area charge person is in your location as they are the local
contact for this building-specific information.
Code Red – Fire
If you find a fire or see smoke,
• Remove any endangered persons
• Ensure door(s) to room of fire origin are closed to contain
fire/smoke
• Activate the closest fire alarm pull station
• Call the local Emergency Number and report Code Red
fire emergency and give exact location
• Try to extinguish the fire only if it is safe to do so and in a
team of 2 both equipped with a fire extinguisher
Code Red – Fire
Smell of Smoke
If you smell smoke but do not see smoke or fire call the
local Emergency Number and report smell of smoke,
your name and location.
A Code Red is not announced for a smell of smoke.
Subsequently, if you see smoke or fire implement the
REACT protocol.
Code Red – Fire
Code Red alarm is a Stage 1 alarm identified with
approximately 20 bells per minute.
This is a Fire Emergency Alert signal and is
accompanied by an overhead announcement.
Prepare to evacuate your area but wait for
additional information.
Code Green – Evacuate
Code Green alarm is a Stage 2 alarm identified with
a short rapid bell sequence, a pause, a short rapid
bell sequence, a pause, etc.
An overhead page will identify what level of Code
Green has been initiated.
Code Green – Evacuate
Two levels of Code Green might be announced as it
applies to an area(s):
1) “Code Green Standby” which requires all staff to
return to their workstation & prepare their area for
an eventual evacuation.
2) “Code Green In Effect” which activates
implementation of a controlled evacuation of all
occupants in area(s) identified.
Code Grey – Loss of Essential Services
In Hospital/Clinical Areas;
• Unexpected loss of power, water, heating, ventilation,
cooling or medical gases
• Review the essential service lost and what the
potential impact might be in your area
• If a hazardous situation will arise report it to a
supervisor immediately
• Implement area-specific contingency plan if
applicable
Code Grey – Loss of Essential Services
In classroom/meeting room/office areas;
• Generally, there is no urgency for action
• Review the essential service lost and what the
potential impact might be in your area
• Follow Area Charge Person’s instructions
Code Black - Bomb Threat
• Any bomb threat is taken seriously and a visual search of
a building has to be completed to clear or validate the
threat.
• Emergency Responders require each room of a building
to be searched and the information relayed to them.
• Evacuation of an area or building occurs when there is
imminent danger.
• If evacuation is deemed necessary a Code Green Stand
By or In Effect would be announced.
Code Black -– Bomb Threat
For all areas;
• Complete a visual search and sweep of your area
only if you are familiar with the area
• Note any suspicious packages or objects but do not
touch or disturb them in any way
• Report negative and positive findings using locally
available method of communication
Code White
• A violent situation unable to be de-escalated &
threat of injury/harm exists press the Panic Alarm if
available
• Call or ask staff to call and report the code
Code Purple
• If hostage situation has been observed call and
report the code
• Do not disturb area or approach hostage-takers
• Avoid unnecessary risks, go and remain in a safe
area until notified situation is resolved
• Avoid the code area, remain in a safe location
during the event
Code Silver
• On discovery or notification of a person threatening
with or discharging a firearm, seek cover and
warn/assist others of situation if safe to do so
• Call 911 via external phone line and call hospital, if
able, to report the code
• Evacuate/escape if you are able to safely
• If unable to evacuate/escape find a secure shelter
and barricade yourself, wait for Police or Security to
arrive – ensure they verify their identity
Lock Down Protocol
A lock down protocol may be enacted for an internal or external
threat. Follow the area charge person’s instructions.
1. Go to the nearest room or office
2. Close and lock the door if possible
3. Barricade the door with furniture
4. Cover the door window, turn off the lights
5. Keep quiet as if no one is in the room
6. Do not answer the door
7. Notify Security by phone as to where you are
8. Wait for Police or Security to assist you
Code Amber
Code Amber is for a missing/abducted infant or child
• On discovery of this code in your area that requires a
search & sweep in other areas, call and report
• On notification of this code, complete a search &
sweep with someone familiar with the area
• Call and report negative or positive findings
• Remain on alert until the “All Clear” is announced
Code Yellow
Code Yellow is for a missing person/adult
• On discovery of this code in your area that requires a
search & sweep in other areas, call and report
• On notification of this code, complete a search &
sweep with someone familiar with the area
• Call and report negative or positive findings
• Remain on alert until the “All Clear” is announced
Code Aqua
Code Aqua is an uncontrolled quantity of water deemed to
be a physical, health or environmental hazard that can
result in, but is not limited to, falls, electrical hazards and
contamination involving sewage & other pollutants.
• Call and report this code
• Assess the area for occupant safety
• Assess equipment safety and the need to protect from
water damage
• Place spill barriers around areas to contain water
Code Brown
A Code Brown is called when there is a spill of a hazardous
material. This could be a biohazard, chemical or radioactive
material spill.
• On discovery of a hazardous material spill that cannot be
contained or safely cleaned by available resources,
ensure spill area access is restricted before leaving the
scene
• Call or ask someone to report the code
• On notification of this code follow the area charge
person's instructions.
Code Blue
Cardiac Arrest or Medical Emergency
• On discovery of a code blue situation where a person
requires immediate medical attention, initiate basic life
support if trained
• Call or ask someone to call & report code
• Remain at the scene until Emergency Responders arrive
and follow their instructions
• On notification of code, follow Area Charge Person’s
instructions
Code Pink
Infant Cardiac Arrest or Medical Emergency
• On discovery of a code pink situation where a person
requires immediate medical attention, initiate basic life
support if trained
• Call or ask someone to call & report code
• Remain at the scene until Emergency Responders arrive
and follow their instructions
• On notification of code, follow Area Charge Person’s
instructions
Code Orange
External Disaster
• Is a hospital code and does not impact others directly
• Is usually called for a mass casualty incident or a
hospital surge event
• On discovery or notification of this code, continue
normal duties but remain on alert for instructions
from the manager
Contact for Questions
FHS Safety Office
Extension 24956
Room 1J11A – MUMC
Mike McGuire