Hospital Planning Emergency Codes in Hospital

Emergency Codes and protocols in healthcare facilities during any incident or emergency event.

1. NAHEEDA KHAN DMIMS: MHA 30205 BATCH B EMERGENCY COLOUR CODES IN HOSPITAL

2. Emergency Codes Overview Every workplace should have emergency procedures and plans – in hospitals, they are called Emergency Codes It is every staffs responsibility to familiarize themselves with the emergency codes at each site Each department must be knowledgeable and confident to respond to any Code called Code Red – Fire in the Hospital Code Blue – Medical Emergency in an Adult or Child Code Pink – Medical Emergency in an Infant Code Black – Bomb Threat Code White – Violent Person Code Purple – Hostage Situation Code Grey Person with a Patient Code Orange – Disaster in the Community

3. How to Activate Emergency Codes Define and clarify the emergency situation.  Confirm the code colour.   Call 111.    Inform and determine the emergency code.   Specify the location of the emergency,  e.g. 4th  Floor; Department and  room 305   Give your name and your ID.   Repeat to confirm a clear message 

4. Code Red – Fire in the Hospital Remain calm and follow the acronym Rescue/Remove anyone from immediate danger to a safe area Assess the situation and pull the nearest fire alarm . Contact Switchboard with Code/Campus/Location Confine the fire by closing all doors/windows Extinguish the fire or evacuate the area

5. Code Red – Fire in the Hospital P A S S Pull the pin Aim nozzle at base of fire Squeeze handle Sweep nozzle side to side Fire alarm pull stations and fire extinguishers are located near stairwells in the hospital – It is your responsibility to know the location of these items in the area you are in

6. When You Hear A Fire Alarm Close all windows and doors Clear the hallways of equipment and furniture Turn on all the lights Do not use the elevator Absolutely no unnecessary outgoing phone calls – Staff will assign someone to stay by the telephone Reassure patients and visitors Review patient status in preparation for an evacuation Return to regular duties once the “All Clear” is announced

7. Entering an Affected Room/Zone Feel the Door.. If warm , only enter if: It is absolutely necessary You have a good chance of saving lives If the door is hot , do NOT enter!

8. Code Black – Bomb Threat If you receive a bomb threat.. Remain calm and listen carefully, be courteous, don’t interrupt the caller, and record the exact wording of the threat Obtain as much information as possible Where is it? When will it explode? What kind of bomb is it? What does it look like? Why did you place it here? Listen for other identifiers Gender, approximate age, accent, speech characteristics, mannerisms, background noises

9. Code Black – Bomb Threat If you receive a bomb threat by mail Dial emergency number to report a Code Black Avoid handling the document Once a Code Black is called Assist staff with a visual search of the area Do not touch anything suspicious Turn off all pagers, cell phones and electronic devices Remain in the area for further instruction

10. Code Purple – Hostage Situation Code Purple is called in the event that a person is forcibly confined or held against his/her will, with the threat of a weapon or threat of violence If you witness this kind of situation, dial emergency number immediately and provide the following information : Location Visible signs or mention of weapons Number and physical description of hostage(s) Number and physical description of hostage takers Whether the hostage taker(s) are contained within a specific room or whether they are mobile

11. Code White – Violent Person A Code White may be initiated when: De-escalation efforts have failed, or appear to be failing The physical safety of staff, visitors or patients is being threatened due to the actions or behaviour of another person A person displays a substantial loss of control, which could result in harm to themselves, others, or to the physical environment Aggressive and/or violent behaviour is imminent and/or has erupted When in doubt, call a Code White to get help!

12. Code Grey – Person with a Weapon Initiated when an individual is threatening to use, attempting to use, or actively using a weapon to cause harm, regardless of the type of weapon and the situation cannot be controlled without enhanced police response Call if you are told or see someone with a weapon, see attempted violence with a person or see someone carrying a weapon on/near hospital grounds Switchboard will call the police and connect directly to the person who called the Code (Stay on the line if it is safe to do so to provide details ) Security and other staff will not respond due to potential risk for harm

13. Code Grey – Person with a Weapon Remember “Run.. Hide.. Fight” Do not engage the assailant verbally or physically Remain calm and evacuate, if able. If unable to evacuate, hide Silence phones / sources of noise If your life is in imminent danger, fight back as a last resort (work together) If a Code Grey is announced and you are not in your designated area: Remain calm and evacuate safely (do not return to your area) Hide if you are unable to leave Do not use the phone unless it is directly related to the Code Silver Medical emergency codes will not be called overhead during a Code Silver

14. Code Blue – Medical Emergency Code Blue is called whenever a patient is experiencing cardiac or respiratory arrest. For example, Code Blue is called when a patient has stopped breathing. To initiate a Code Blue: If you discover a patient experiencing cardiac or respiratory arrest, Remain with the patient Ask someone to call a Code Blue If you are asked to call a Code Blue, Call the emergency number Provide location The operator announces Code Blue and the location.

15. Code Blue Code Blue Team: ICU Specialist or Consultant as Team Leader. Anaesthesiologist. Respiratory Therapist. ICU Head Nurse or Charge Nurse, or Team Leader. ER Head Nurse or Charge Nurse or Team Leader. Nursing Supervisor. Security

16. Code Pink When any hospital personnel are informed of a missing infant or child, Code Pink must be initiated by completing the following steps. To initiate Code Pink: Call the emergency number, stating that there is a missing infant/child and to initiate a Code Pink Provide a brief description of the child’s appearance, including the age and gender of the child The operator announces Code Pink, including the description of the infant/child Upon hearing Code Pink: All personnel are to immediately stop non-critical work Report to all stairwell doors, elevator areas and other exits from the immediate area Personnel who are outside their normal work area should report to the nearest exit Question anyone with an infant or child that fits the description and be suspicious of bags which may be large enough to hold an infant/child If you see a suspicious person, call the emergency number with a description, the location and the route of the person

17. Code Orange – External Disaster Code Orange Alert – Hospital has been notified that a disaster has occurred in the community – NO CASUALTIES are arriving yet Level I – The hospital is receiving less than 4 casualties Level II – The hospital is receiving more than 3 major casualties and/or the number of victims/severity of injuries will require additional staff and resources Level III - The hospital is receiving more than 3 major casualties and/or the number of victims/severity of injuries will require additional staff and resources and normal hospital routines will be disrupted

18. Code Orange – External Disaster Code Orange Downgraded – Hospital is no longer receiving new casualties. Staff continue to care for current casualties Code Orange Decontam – A chemical, biological, nuclear and/or radioactive disaster has occurred – lockdown and decontamination procedures need to be implemented

19. THANK YOU!