Emergency Codes

EMERGENCY CODES
Prepared by: Jennifer B. Garcia, RN

EMERGENCY CODE AND PREPAREDNESS
What is an emergency code?
An emergency code is a notification of an event that requires

immediate action.
Preparing for the unexpected
Emergencies can strike anywhere and at any time. In the spirit of

proactivity, we encourage you to have your own emergency
preparedness plan.
HOW IS AN EMERGENCY CODE CALLED?
 The code should be called in a three-part statement to include:
 Alert category
 Specific code description
 Location of emergency
 Example: “Medical alert, cardiac arrest, Room 231.”
 Additional information or instructions can be provided if known

--- for example, the description of a missing person.
How do I respond to the new emergency codes?
 Your response to the emergency code does not change. The only change is the
language used to announce the emergency situation.
 Follow the hospital’s policy and procedure for the specific emergency situation.
Are all hospital codes the same?
Some emergency codes, such as code blue and code red, are fairly
universal across the United States and around the world. But many of
the other codes aren't consistent. Each color can have various
meanings across different states or countries. Some facilities use
numbered code systems rather than colors.
Example of Emergency Codes:
CODE BLACK
A bomb threat shall be known as a Code Black. In the event a bomb threat is received through a
telephone call, the person receiving the call should: Keep calm. ... The person receiving the
information should complete the Bomb Threat Checklist as soon as possible.
CODE BLUE
“Code Blue” is generally used to indicate a patient requiring resuscitation or in need of
immediate medical attention, most often as the result of a respiratory arrest or cardiac arrest.
When called overhead, the page takes the form of “Code Blue, (floor), (room)” to alert the
resuscitation team where to respond. Every hospital, as a part of its disaster plans, sets a policy
to determine which units provide personnel for code coverage.
CODE BROWN
A notification of Code Brown indicates that there has been a spill or leak of a
substance/gas being used on site. Depending on the kind and amount spilled, a
partial or complete evacuation of the building may occur.
Medical perspective: “Isolate and evacuate,” which is the official tagline of

hazardous spills.
CODE GREEN
Code Green is called when there is a need to evacuate all or part of the
facility to another area within the facility, or out of the facility all
together.
CODE GRAY
Loss of essential services / infrastructure failure
In the event there is an infrastructure essential system(s) failure or

loss (i.e. electricity, water, heating, medical gas, communications,
etc.), or the implementation of intervention measures (i.e. air
exclusion) that constitute a health or safety risk to patients, visitors,
staff, physicians and volunteers, a code grey will be paged overhead.
CODE ORANGE
Code Orange paged overhead refers to an occurrence of an external disaster that may
indicate an influx of mass casualties to the hospital site. Example:
 Bus or plane crash.

CODE PINK
The purpose of a Code Pink (pediatric/neonatal cardiac arrest) is to identify
an individual (patient or visitor) who requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation
or an emergency medical intervention.
CODE PURPLE
Where any person(s) is confined forcibly, seized or detained
against their will in the presence of a weapon or threat of violence.
CODE RED
An external disaster is an event which has taken outside
the hospital.
Examples:
• Floods
• Earthquakes
• Tsunamis
• Train accidents
• Building collapse
External disaster is declared when the expected patient

inflow is more than emergency department bad capacity. It
is only declared by the C.E.O. of the hospital or
emergency department head.
CODE WHITE
It is the term used to alert staff when a violent or potentially violent patient
who is unmanageable by any other means presents a danger to self or to
others. This does not include a hostage situation or where a weapon is
involved (Refer to Code Purple).
CODE YELLOW
Code Yellow is for a missing person/adult.
 On discovery of this code in your area that requires a search and sweep in other
areas, call and report.
 On notification of this code, complete a search and sweep with someone familiar
with the area.
 Call and report negative or positive findings.
 Remain on alert until the “All Clear” is announced.
CODE AMBER
Code Amber: Is a hospital wide search for an infant/child who is missing.
A Code Amber will be initiated whenever there is any suspicion of missing/ abduction
of any infant/child by any person, including custodial parents, non-custodial parents,
visitors and patients.
AMBER is a backronym for

America's Missing: Broadcast
Emergency Response. The alert
was named after Amber
Hagerman, a nine-year-old girl
abducted and murdered in
Arlington, Texas in 1996.
REFERENCE:
Nurses Always Awesome – Education

Emergency Codes

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EMERGENCY CODES

Prepared by: Jennifer B. Garcia, RN

What is an emergency code?

An emergency code is a notification of an event that requires

Preparing for the unexpected

Emergencies can strike anywhere and at any time. In the spirit of

 The code should be called in a three-part statement to include:

 Example: “Medical alert, cardiac arrest, Room 231.”

 Additional information or instructions can be provided if known

Medical perspective: “Isolate and evacuate,” which is the official tagline of

Loss of essential services / infrastructure failure

In the event there is an infrastructure essential system(s) failure or

 Bus or plane crash.

External disaster is declared when the expected patient

AMBER is a backronym for

Nurses Always Awesome – Education

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