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Since 1993, a series of colours have been used across Ontario health care facilities to indicate to staff the presence of an emergency situation. It is important that ALL employees, students and volunteers know these codes.
INCIDENT Fire Cardiac Arrest Internal Evacuation Missing Patient Bomb Threat or Search Violent Person Chemical Spill Neo-Natal Arrest External Disaster NAME Code Red Code Blue Code Green Code Yellow Code Black Code White Code Brown Code Pink Code Orange Colour of charred material after an explosion White is the colour of restraints The colour of chemical spill A resuscitated baby pinks up Colour of ambulance bringing victims RATIONALE FOR COLOUR Colour of fire Cardiac victim is often cyanotic / blue Green (light) means go
In Case of Emergency . . .
At Met, Western, and Malden Park (MPCCC), any staff member can notify switchboard of an emergency 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 Childrens Centre (RCC), and off-site programs, (i.e. Withdrawal Management Service, Residential Rehabilitation) any staff member can access emergency assistance by dialing:
R A C E
ESCUE/REMOVE
Remove person(s) from immediate area (if necessary) Re-assure patients / visitors in area Remember elevators do not work at this time
LARM/ASSESS
Pull the nearest fire alarm Remain calm Call switchboard (Ext. 3333) Met / Western Dial 911 at all other sites
ONFINE
Close all doors and windows, etc. Clear hallways of any obstructions (i.e. stretchers, wheelchairs, equipment)
XTINGUISH/EVACUATE
Fight fire if possible using the appropriate extinguisher Code Green is the code for internal evacuation May involve horizontal or vertical evacuation
Pull the pin Aim nozzle at base of fire Squeeze handle Sweep from side to side
Reminder: If away from your unit/department (i.e. Cafeteria) and a Code Red is called in your area, use the stairway to return to the area, if safe to do so.
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. You can find this tape in the Emergency Codes Kit.
Code Blue Team: ED Physician, RNs from ICU/CCU/Cardiology, Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT), 1st/2nd Person on scene Met/Western Campus: Code Blue Team will respond and bring crash cart. Windsor Regional Cancer Centre (WRCC): WRCC Staff bring crash cart to site of Code Blue Malden Park (MPCCC) / Regional Childrens Centre (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 at the bed side. 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), it is the responsibility of staff to notify Switchboard (Dial 3333) regarding the correction/change of code. NOTE: To improve management of pediatric crisis situations (ie. threats to airway, moderate to severe respiratory distress, change to neurological status), a Pediatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) has been created. Dial 4444 for team response. This does not replace a Code Blue Pediatric but is used as a preventative measure to hopefully avoid a Code Blue situation.
To improve the management of obstetrical crisis situations, an Obstetrical Rapid Response Team (OBRRT) has been created. Dial 4444 for team response. This does not replace a Code Blue but is used as a preventative measure to hopefully avoid one.
Code Pink Team: ED Physician, Neonatologist, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), 2 NICU staff, 1st/2nd 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 Windsor Regional Cancer Centre (WRCC): Code Pink Team will respond. Directions to Code provided by WRCC Staff Malden Park (MPCCC) / Regional Childrens Centre (RCC) / Off-Site: Notify EMS (911)
Met/Western/WRCC Remove yourself and others from immediate danger if the offending party cuts off efforts at communication Appoint person to dial 3333
Malden Park Response Remove yourself and others from immediate danger if the offending party cuts off efforts at communication Appoint person to dial Ext. 76529 to report Code White Malden Park
RCC/Off-Site Remove yourself and others from immediate danger if the offending party cuts off efforts at communication Call for help or contact 911 if necessary
Call a Code White when you witness or are involved with any individual who is not responding to de-escalation intervention and is: Threatening, harassing or being verbally abusive to another individual Attempting to harm themselves or others Attempting to destroy property Displaying threatening behavior that is escalating Refusing to leave hospital property when required
Code Brown Response Team: Most Responsible Person (MRP)/Department Manager, Housekeeping Supervisor, Facilities, Security
Code
Code Orange Advisory
Description
Conditions are present which increase the possibility that a disaster could occur in the community (i.e. tornado, flood, fire, toxic spill, 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 MRP in designated area Indicates a chemical, biological, or radioactive disaster May require lockdown and decontamination procedures
Code Orange Confirmed Level I Code Orange Confirmed Level II Code Orange Confirmed Level III Code Orange Downgraded Follow up will continue