Emergency Codes
INCIDENT
NAME
RATIONALE FOR COLOUR
Fire
Code Red
Colour of fire
Cardiac Arrest
Code Blue
Cardiac victim is often cyanotic / blue
Internal Evacuation
Code Green
Green (light) means “go”
Missing Patient
Code Yellow
Bomb Threat or Search
Code Black
Colour of charred material after an explosion
Violent Person
Code White
White is the colour of restraints
Chemical Spill
Code Brown
The colour of chemical spill
Neo-Natal Arrest
Code Pink
A resuscitated baby “pinks” up
External Disaster
Code Orange
Colour of ambulance bringing victims
In Case of Emergency…
At Met, Western, and Malden Park, any staff member can notify switchboard of an
emergency code by dialing:
3333
When this happens, the appropriate Code personnel will respond. Please state the Code,
Campus, and specific location.
At all other WRH sites like Regional Children’s Centre, and off-site programs, (e.g.,
Withdrawal Management Service, Residential Rehabilitation) any staff member can access
emergency assistance by dialing:
911
Emergency Codes On-Line
The most up to date codes policies can be found via the Policy Library on the WRH
Intranet.
Emergency Codes Kits
Located on each unit, the Emergency Code Kit contains important information and/or
supplies that may be needed in the case of an emergency.
Code Red
R
A
C
E
ESCUE/REMOVE
• Remove Person(s) from immediate area (if necessary)
• Re-assure patients / visitors in area
• Elevators do not work at this time
LARM/ASSESS
•
•
•
•
Pull the nearest fire alarm
Remain calm
Call switchboard (x. 3333) Met / Western
Dial 911 at all other sites
ONFINE
• Close all doors and windows, etc.
• Call switchboard (x. 3333) Met / Western
• Dial 911 at all other sites
XTINGUISH/EVACUATE
• Fight fire if possible using the appropriate extinguisher
• Code Green – code for internal evacuation
• May involve horizontal or vertical evacuation
Fire Extinguishers
Class “A” fires include normal combustibles such as paper, wood and plastic. A type
“A” fire extinguisher is silver in colour and contains water.
Class “B” fires include flammable liquids such as gasoline, alcohol, grease, etc.
Class “C” fires involve electrical equipment, machinery, etc. that have caught on fire.
Type “BC” fire extinguishers contain carbon dioxide and can be used for Class “B”
and “C” fires.
Type “ABC” fire extinguishers contain a dry chemical or halon and can be used for all
types of fires.
Steps in operating a fire extinguisher:
PULL
AIM
SQUEEZE
SWEEP
Reminder: If away from your unit/department (ie., Cafeteria) and a Code Red is
called in your area, use the stairway to return to the area, if safe to do so
Code Brown – Chemical Spill
Level 1: Department
Response
• Spill is small in volume
• Spill can be cleaned up with
water or disinfectant
• Can be handled by
department/unit staff
• Poses no threat of irritation
• Housekeeping can be
contacted for assistance, if
necessary
• DO NOT CALL A CODE
BROWN
Level 2: Code Brown Team
Response
Level 3: External Response
• Spill is generally larger in
volume
• Spill is hazardous or
unidentifiable
• Spill requires special clean up
procedures
• Cannot be handled by
department/unit staff
• May require evacuation of the
immediate spill/release area
• CALL A CODE BROWN
LEVEL II
• Spill is considered a health,
fire, and/or environmental
hazard
• Safe clean up requires
respiratory equipment to be
worn
• Requires evacuation beyond
the immediate spill area
• CALL A CODE BROWN
LEVEL III – FIRE
DEPARTMENT WILL BE
CALLED
Code Brown Response Team: MRP/Dept. Mgr, Housekeeping Supervisor, Facilities, Security
Code Black – Bomb Threat
Search Protocol
General Staff Search
• Although police are called, the hospital is
responsible for the actual search
• Using the Departmental Floor Plan (located in
the Emergency Codes Kit), staff search their
own area for anything suspicious
• Searched areas will be checked off using a
highlighter
• Public areas (i.e. washrooms, cafeteria, etc.)
should be checked first
• Forward completed search grid to the site’s
Administration Suite
Team Search
• Security and Facilities conduct a thorough search
of the premises
• Using hospital floor plans, searched areas are
checked off using a highlighter
Reminder: If you see something suspicious, DO
NOT:
• Touch, move, or open it
• Activate light switches or slam doors
• Use pagers or two-way radios
Code White – Violent Person
• Call a Code White when you witness or are involved with any individual who is not responding to deescalation intervention and is:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Threatening, harassing, or being verbally abusive to another individual
Attempting to harm themselves or others
Attempting to destroy property
Displaying threatening behaviour that is escalating
Refusing to leave hospital property when requested
NOTE: Your first priority in a Code White should be to remove yourselves and others from immediate
danger
Code Yellow – Missing Patient/Client/Resident
Level I – Search by Security and Unit Staff
• MRP will assess potential risk
• MRP calls switchboard 3333 with patient info
• A full description of the individual will be
distributed through the voicemail system
• Security and staff from the affected area search all
general areas
• An unusual occurrence report must be completed
and submitted regardless if the patient is found
Level II – In-depth search by ALL staff
• All general areas will be fully searched by
Security and Facilities
• All staff will conduct a thorough search of their
areas using the departmental search grids (located
in the Emergency Codes Kit)
• Search coordination site will be set up in the
Administration Suite of the site
• Searched areas will be checked off on the grid
and forwarded to the Search Coordination site
Code Yellow – Missing Infant/Child
General Roles and Responsibilities
MRP
• Provide Switchboard with a
description of the alleged
abductor and infant/child
• Attend to doors with Security
Security
• Notifies the Police
• Initiates search of the entire
facility
• Notifies guards and parking
attendants
General Staff
• Immediately search entire
unit/area
• Using search grids, conduct a
complete search of the working
area
• Report any suspicious activity
to Security
Code Blue – Medical Emergency in Adult or Child
Rescuer # 1 Duties (First Person on the scene)
Determine need for medical attention and/or
unresponsiveness
Confirm wishes of the victim
Call for assistance e.g. “Help, Code Blue”
Dial switchboard using 3333
Check the time and start CPR, if necessary
Remain at the site to assist
Rescuer # 2 (Second Person on the scene)
•
• Respond to the call for help
• Bring any emergency equipment available to the
•
location of the Code
•
• Confirm that the Code has been called
•
• Ensure that other patients/people close by, are
safe and taken care of
•
• If necessary, assist Rescuer # 1 with CPR
•
• Remain at site to assist
Code Blue Team: ED Physician, RNs from ICU/CCU/Cardiology, RRT, 1st/2nd Person on scene
Met/Western Campus: Code Blue Team will respond and bring crash cart.
WRCC: WRCC Staff bring crash cart to site of Code Blue
MPCCC/RCC/Off-Site: Notify EMS (911)
Outside Building (but on Hospital Property): Dial 3333. Switchboard will initiate call
to EMS and announcement will be made overhead.
Code Blue Met Campus Only:
• To activate the Code Team Response, utilize the CODE BUTTON. Switchboard
will automatically be notified and will announce overhead, an audible alarm will
sound on the nursing unit, Emergency lights will illuminate outside the room and
the room will be displayed on the Nursing Station monitor.
• In Paediatrics, “Code Blue Paed” will be announced. In the NICU, “Code Pink”
will be announced.
• If the Code Button is activated in error (or the Code is something other than a
Code Blue), is the responsibility of staff to notify Switchboard (3-3-3-3) regarding
the correction/change of code
Code Pink – Medical Emergency in an Infant
(<1 month)
Rescuer # 1
Identify a medical emergency
Call for assistance e.g. “Help,
Code Pink”
Check the time and begin CPR
Remain at the site to assist
Rescuer # 2
Rescuer # 3
•
• Dial 3333 and call a Code Pink
• Confirm that Code Pink has
(Call a Code Blue at Western
been called (Code Blue at
•
Campus)
Western) and help is on the
way
•
Bring
equipment
to
the
scene
•
•
Assist Rescuer # 1 and # 2
•
Assist
rescuer
#
1
with
CPR
•
with resuscitation
• Remain at the site to assist
st nd
Code Pink Team: ED Physician, Neonatologist, RRT, 2 NICU staff, 1 /2 Person on scene
Met Campus: Code Pink Team will respond
Western Campus: There is no Code Pink Team at the Western Campus – call a Code
Blue
WRCC: Code Pink Team will respond. Directions to Code provided by WRCC Staff
MPCCC/RCC/Off-Site: Notify EMS (9-1-1)
Code Green – Internal Evacuation
Level 1 – Horizontal Evacuation
• All persons in a zone/wing are
moved beyond a corridor fire
separation door to an adjacent
area on the same floor
• Only affected area will move at
this point
Level II – Vertical Evacuation
• All persons on the affected floor
are moved two floors down
• First and ground floors are
moved out of the building
Level III – Total / Premises
Evacuation
• All persons are moved from
the affected building outside
or to another building
• Determined by Fire Dept,
CEO, or Medical Officer of
Health
Note: When clearing rooms during an evacuation, a piece of green tape is placed across the door
jam to indicate that a room has been checked and is clear.
Code Orange – Disaster in the Community
Code
Code Orange Advisory
Code Orange Alert
Code Orange Confirmed Level I
Code Orange Confirmed Level II
Code Orange Confirmed Level III
Code Orange Downgraded –
Follow up will continue
Code Orange - Decontam
Description
• Conditions are present which increase the possibility that a
disaster could occur in the community (i.e. terrorist threat)
• Wear ID Badge
• Hospital has been notified that a disaster has occurred in the
community
• No casualties are arriving yet
• Each unit completes Code Orange Disaster Inventory Checklist
• Hospital is receiving LESS than 4 major casualties
• Departments immediately affected will be involved
• Hospital is receiving MORE than 4 major casualties
• Hospital is receiving MANY MORE than 4 casualties with
complex injuries
• All normal hospital routines are disrupted
• Hospital is no longer receiving casualties
• Staff continue to care for current casualties
• Complete Code Orange Operations Report
• Return to department as indicated by RP in designated area
• Indicates a chemical, biological, or radioactive disaster
• May require lockdown and decontamination procedures