Workplace safety: Emergency codes

Emergency codes in a healthcare setting are messages intended to alert the staff in a quick and precise manner. They are announced over the facility's public communication systems along with the location of the emergency, which helps to get the message across to all intended personnel.

At the same time, it helps avoid causing panic to clients and visitors. It's a code, right?

Codes may vary from facility to facility, so as a nursing assistant, you need to be familiar with your facility’s codes, what they mean, and how you should respond.

The first common code in the healthcare settings is code blue. A code blue is announced when there is an adult client with a medical emergency, usually a cardiopulmonary arrest, who needs an immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.

If a pediatric client has a medical emergency, some facilities call a code white. During the code blue or code white situation, your role as a nursing assistant will be assisting physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and family members as needed.

Okay, let’s move on to code red. This is announced when there is fire or smoke somewhere in the building.

If you’re the one at the scene, notify your supervisor and follow the RACE fire response plan, which involves Removing clients in immediate danger to safety, Activating the alarm, Containing the fire by closing the door and windows, using the fire extinguishers to Extinguish the fire if it’s possible, and Evacuating the building if everything else fails.Next is code yellow, which is called in the event of a bomb threat.

Your facility will outline what you and other healthcare workers should do if a threat is received. Above all, it’s important to remain calm and follow instructions to keep you, your co-workers, and your clients safe.Healthcare facilities often use hazardous materials in client care, such as chemotherapy agents.

A code orange is called if there is a spill or release of any substance that could cause injury or illness. If you come across a spill of a hazardous substance, notify your supervisor right away.

Don’t touch it or walk in it and let people in the area know about the spill. The spill will be cleaned up by appropriate personnel, such as a hazardous material, or HAZMAT, team, once the type of substance is determined.Moving on to a code green, which is called in the event a client leaves the facility without notifying staff.

These clients may be a danger to themselves or others. They may also be disabled, confused, or disoriented.

If you notice one of your clients is missing, notify your supervisor right away. When a code green is called, staff will monitor exits and the surrounding area.

The facility will take steps to safely retrieve the client as quickly as possible. Occasionally, there may be an aggressive, hostile, or a potentially combative person in the facility.

The aggressive behavior could be either verbal or physical, and the combative person may be a client, a visitor, or even a member of the healthcare team.

A code gray is called any time a staff member witnesses or is confronted with a combative situation. At many facilities, a special team with training in deescalating combative situations will respond to the code.

As a nursing assistant, you will learn how to recognize potentially violent situations, how to respond to them, and how to get the assistance you need.

Next, a code silver is announced when there is a weapon, like a firearm, a knife, or anything that could cause harm or injury.

If this happens, there are several actions that you, as a member of the healthcare team, could do depending on the situation.

These include seeking cover; warning others; closing doors to client rooms and doors that lead to your specific unit; calling the facility operator with the location, type of weapon, and information about any hostages or victims; and providing assistance to others.

As with other emergencies, stay calm and alert and assist others.Finally, a code pink is called in the event of an infant abduction.

Facilities that care for infants have policies and procedures to keep this from happening, but all staff need to be trained to know what to do should a code pink be called.

As a nursing assistant, follow your facility policy, which may be to help cover stairwell doors, elevators, and exits from the facility.

Some facilities have a separate code, code purple, which is called if an older child is abducted. All right, as a quick recap… Emergency codes are announced over the facility's public communication systems.

Codes may vary from facility to facility, so as a nursing assistant, you need to be familiar with how to respond to your facility’s codes.

Common emergency codes used in healthcare facilities are code blue, an adult medical emergency; code white, a pediatric medical emergency; code red is called for a fire; code yellow is called if there is a bomb threat; code orange is a called when there’s a HAZMAT spill; code green is called if a client is missing; code gray means there’s a combative person; code silver means there is a weapon or hostage situation; and code pink or purple will be called for infant or child abduction.

As a nursing assistant, you are responsible for being familiar with your facility’s codes and knowing how to