Healthcare Emergency Codes and Safety

Emergency Codes

• Code Blue: Medical emergency/cardiac arrest
• Code Red: Fire
• Code White: Violence/aggression
• Code Purple: Hostage
• Code Yellow: Missing person
• Code Black: Bomb threat/Suspicious package
• Code Grey: Shelter in place/air exclusion
• Code Green: Evacuation
• Code Brown: Chemical spill/hazardous material
• Code Orange: Mass casualty

Patient Safety

• Falls are the most common incident in healthcare settings, accounting for up to 90% of reported incidents.
• Procedure-related accidents: These occur when a medical procedure is performed incorrectly or when there is a failure to follow the proper procedure.
• Equipment-related accidents: These occur when medical equipment malfunctions or is used incorrectly.

Patient & Provider Characteristics that Affect Safety

• Patient: These include developmental stage, mobility, sensory and cognitive status, and lifestyle choices.
• Provider: These include experience, education, and fatigue level.
• Task Characteristics: These include complexity, urgency, and repetitiveness.

Environmental Factors that Affect Safety

• Technology: This includes the use of medical devices and equipment, such as infusion pumps and ventilators.
• Environment: This includes the physical layout of the care setting, such as the presence of clutter or tripping hazards.
• Organizational: These include organizational policies and procedures, staffing levels, and communication.

Fall Prevention

• Assessment & communication: A thorough assessment of the patient's fall risk is crucial.
• Environmental modifications: Adjusting a patient's environment to prevent falls, i.e., using bed rails or non-slip mats.
• Exercise interventions: Physical therapy and regular exercise can improve mobility and reduce fall risk.
• Podiatry care: Regular foot care can help minimize the risk of falls due to foot problems.

Restraint Use Philosophy

• The “least-restraint” approach is encouraged to ensure the highest quality of care. This means using restraints only when absolutely necessary and exploring all other alternatives first.

Types of Restraints

• Physical: Used to immobilize a patient or one or more of their extremities (ex: wrist restraints).
• Chemical: Medication given to prevent a particular behavior or movement (ex: anti-anxiety medication).
• Environmental: Designed features of a care setting to prevent a patient from leaving or engaging in specific actions (ex: locked units).

Alternatives to Restraints

• Provide companionship, supervision, and reorientation as appropriate.
• Offer regular physical activity, diversionary activities, and explanations of procedures.
• Ensure the patient's needs are being met (i.e., toileting, hygiene).
• Use calm, simple language and de-escalation techniques as needed.

Workplace Safety (WHMIS)

• Follow workplace safety guidelines and take precautions when handling hazardous materials.
• The WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) provides information about the dangers of specific substances and how to safely handle them.
• Be familiar with the common safety precautions and risks associated with the work environment.

This quiz covers essential emergency codes used in healthcare settings, including their meanings and implications for patient safety. Additionally, it discusses factors that affect patient and provider safety, along with common incidents and accidents in medical environments. Test your knowledge of these critical aspects of healthcare.