1. Emergency Codes This is a review of the hospital Emergency Codes
Move this to online learning module slides
Emergency Codes

2. What are Hospital Emergency Codes?
Hospital Emergency Codes are used worldwide to advise staff of various kinds of emergency situations.
The use of codes is intended to convey essential information quickly and with a minimum of misunderstanding to staff, while preventing stress or panic among visitors to the hospital.
Hospital Emergency Codes are coded by colour; most Ontario hospitals use the same colour coding system
Read slide

3. RED BLUE GREEN YELLOW ORANGE WHITE BLACK BROWN AQUA GREY PURPLE
FIRE – close all doors; proceed to gathering place
CARDIAC ARREST – code team will respond
EVACUATION – follow evacuation protocols for patients, staff
MISSING PATIENT – follow search protocol
EXTERNAL DISASTER – receipt of mass casualties incoming
VIOLENT/AGGRESSIVE PERSON – team responds
BOMB THREAT – search using maps; report suspicious packages
Read Slide
HAZARDOUS SPILL – report spill, team responds
FLOOD
LOSS OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES – follow departmental procedures
HOSTAGE TAKING – or abduction; call 911 and work with police

4. Is the use of or threat with a weapon (active shooter/killer)
Code Silver
We recently added the new “Code Silver” which is the use of or threat with a weapon (active shooter or killer). Please note the quick reference guide on the next slide for what to do in the event of a Code Silver.

5. Code Silver
This is a Quick Reference as to what to do in the event of a Code Silver.

6. Emergency Code Procedures
Emergency Code Policies and procedures can be found:
On the SMGH Intranet main page UNDER Quick Links
At the “Emergency Preparedness Station” in your department
Read Slide

7. Intranet Home Page
This is where the link is located on the Intranet “main page”

8. Emergency Preparedness Station
There is one of these emergency preparedness stations in every department; make sure you know where yours is located in the unit/department

9. Dial 888 on any internal telephone; this will notify switchboard
How Do I Call a Code?
Dial 888 on any internal telephone; this will notify switchboard
You can call a code from any internal phone by Dialing 888; this will notify switchboard on a separate emergency phone. Staff at switchboard will know that there is an emergency when the emergency phone rings and will answer it immediately. If you just dial ‘O’; you will wait in the queue with all other incoming calls.

10. Things to Know…
Reference to all emergency codes is on your hospital ID badge
Fire drills are held monthly (proceed like it’s a real fire)
Other mock exercises are held throughout the year
Emergency Planning Committee reviews policies and develops mock exercises
Here is a summary of things you should know:
A reference to all emergency codes is on your hospital ID badge
Fire drills are held monthly (proceed like it’s a real fire)
Other mock exercises are held throughout the year
The Emergency Planning Committee reviews policies and develops mock exercises

11. The “Mock” Fire…
This is what we use when practicing a Code Red (or fire drill). When you see this flashing red light in your area take the appropriate steps – as if it were a real fire.

12. What if You are the First to Notice a Fire (Real or Not)?
Pull the closest fire alarm
Provide assistance to patients or those in danger
Notify Switchboard (ext. 888)
Provide your name, location and extent of fire
Close all doors
Extinguish fire if possible
Wait for further instructions
These are the steps you would take in the event of a real or “mock” fire
Pull the closest fire alarm
Provide assistance to patients or those in danger
Notify Switchboard by dialing 888
Provide your name, location and extent of fire
Close all doors
Extinguish fire if possible
Then wait for further instructions

13. Code Red - Fire
If you hear a Code RED called and the fire is not in your area; you should:
Discontinue regular work
Close all doors
Make sure patients and visitors are in their rooms
Turn off all non-essential equipment and gases
Assemble in your designated areas and wait for further instruction
Do not use elevators or telephones (unless absolutely necessary)
Read slide

14. How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
P – pull the safety pin A – aim nozzle at the base of the fire S – squeeze the handles together S – sweep from side to side
Please note the steps to take if using a fire extinguisher. Only use one if you are comfortable doing so.

15. Fire Alarm 1st Stage: Bells at 60 strokes/minute, indicates fire
2nd Stage: Bells at 120 strokes/minutes, indicates entire hospital is to be evacuated
When the Fire alarm is pulled; it will sound the alarm at 60 strokes per minute to indicate a fire; should an evacuation be required; the pace of the alarm will increase to 120 stokes per minute to advise of evacuation.

16. Code Green-Evacuation
The Code GREEN policy outlines the procedures required to safely evacuate all patients, visitors, staff, and volunteers in a controlled manner. 
The nature of the evacuation can vary from a partial to a total evacuation of the hospital.
Read slide

17. 4 Stages of Evacuation STAGE 1: LOCAL OR PARTIAL EVACUATION
If the fire occurs in a patient-occupied room, local or partial evacuation will be necessary
STAGE 2: HORIZONTAL EVACUATION
If the fire occurs in a specific area of the hospital, horizontal evacuation will be necessary and will be carried out by all staff in the fire-affected area
STAGE 3: VERTICAL EVACUATION
If, as the result of fire, all patients on a fire-affected floor are compromised or may be compromised as a result of the spread of smoke or fire or the fact that a fire-affected zone cannot be horizontally evacuated, vertical evacuation will be necessary.
STAGE 4: TOTAL OR COMPLETE EVACUATION
If, as the result of fire, all patients on all floors are compromised or may be compromised, total evacuation will be necessary and will be carried out.
There are 4 Stages of Evacuation; continue on reading all 4 stages on the slide.

18. When to Evacuate? Total Evacuation
The alarm system is a two stage system (as mentioned previously)
1. The FIRST STAGE FIRE ALARM is a slow ring of the bells at 60 strokes per minute which indicates a fire.
2. The SECOND STAGE EVACUATION ALARM is a faster ring of the bells at 120 strokes per minute which will only be activated if the entire hospital needs to be evacuated.
Total Evacuation
If a total evacuation, off the property, is required; St. Mary’s has made arrangements with Huron Heights Secondary School and with Grand River Transit to relocate patients.
Read Slide