Emergency Code Calls at KVCH
“Physicians and other medical staff often work in more than
one hospital and a variation in emergency code calls makes it difficult for
them to respond appropriately to emergencies,” said Sharon Johnson, director of
quality management at KVCH.
The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA), Oregon
Association of Hospitals & Health Systems, Oregon Patient Safety Commission
formed a taskforce to standardize emergency code calls under the leadership of
the Dr. Lawrence Schecter, chief medical officer, Providence Regional Medical
Center Everett. According to WSHA’s emergency code executive summary, both
states surveyed member hospitals to determine the amount of variation in
emergency codes. Results from the survey found that many hospitals used the
same code for fire (code red), but a huge variation existed for codes
representing respiratory and cardiac arrest, infant and child abduction and
combative person.
The vast differences in meanings
could cause serious unwanted results.
Beth Zborowski, WSHA’s director of
program communication, said that an incorrect emergency call occurred a few
years ago at a
“KVCH is committed to reduce confusion and improve patient
safety at the hospital,” said Johnson. KVCH hospital employees have been
trained in the new codes and the quality management staff has also developed reference
tools to help staff remember the new codes.
The adaption of the standardization of emergency code calls was
the final phase for KVCH to complete under WSHA’s standardization
recommendations. Earlier this year, KVCH incorporated the standards for isolation
signage, color coded wristbands and pre-surgical checklists. The standardization initiative is a voluntary effort and WSHA's board of trustees has asked all participating Washington hospitals to implement the new standards by October.
Emergency code calls are routinely used throughout a hospital to alert hospital personnel of a current situation that requires immediate response. The new set of standard emergency code calls includes the following:
| Code Name |
Emergency Situation |
| CODE RED |
Fire |
| CODE BLUE |
Heart or Respiration Stopping - Adult |
| CODE BLUE PALS |
Heart or Respiration Stopping - Pediatric |
| CODE ORANGE |
Hazardous Material Spill or Release |
| CODE GRAY |
Combative Person |
| CODE SILVER |
Person with Weapon/Hostage Situation |
| CODE AMBER |
Infant and Child Abduction |
| CODE EXTERNAL TRIAGE |
External Disaster |
| CODE INTERNAL TRIAGE |
Internal Disaster |
