[HappyNurse2005]

Seeing the thread about Code Pink's for rude docs, and others mentioning Code Pink meaning peds cardiac arrest, made me think about the diff Codes we have.
We have
Code Blue-adult cardiac or resp arrest
Code Kinder-peds cardiac/resp arrest
Code Secure-violent/aggressive pt/family-need security asap
Code Red-fire
Code Lindbergh-abducted infant/child
then, there are "alerts"
trauma alert-a trauma coming in (we are a level 1 trauma center)
gold alert-multi system unstable trauma
heart alert-someone comes in who may need the cath lab asap


there are others for bomb threat, natural disaster, etc. Those are the ones we actually hear occasionally.

[suzanne4]

Code Pink is usually a possilbe kidnapped infant or child
Code RED or Dr. Firestone is for fires
Code Blue is for codes
Code Green is call for security issues for disruptive patients
Code Yellow- disaster in the area, such as tornado or when hospital is placed on lockdown because of weather

These are the Basics at most facilities

[ak47m203]

i knew one hospital their arrest code is meydey meydey. like an airplane.

[HappyNurse2005]

i knew one hospital their arrest code is meydey meydey. like an airplane.

SO they say "mayday, Room 880. Mayday room 880" that sounds...bad, lol. but funny, also. I mean, everyone knows what code blue means, but to hear mayday over the intercom, lol.

[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by ak47m203

i knew one hospital their arrest code is meydey meydey. like an airplane.

Where is rp?

[Danigirl58]

Here are the codes for majority of the hospitals in my city. I must say that I didn't know there were so many different types of codes until i started typing them. Sadly enough we receive a laminated card that goes with our hospital ID ..... when ever I have heard one that i was like huh i just looked it up
Code 25 is respiratory distress
Code BLUE is cardio-pulmonary arrest
Code WHITE violent incident
Code RED fire
Code BLACK bomb threat/search
Code ORANGE external danger
Code GREEN evacuation of facility
Code PINK abduction
Code Grey External air contamination
Code Yellow missing patient
Code Brown internal chemical spill

[Geeg]

I have always used Code Brown to refer to incontinence of stool. Honest.

[bethin]

I'm surprised that hospitals still use Code Blue for a cardiac arrest. I was told that since the public knows what that means it can cause chaos. Imagine a bunch of nosy people showing up at a room to watch a code. I guess it happened too many times so they changed it. We use Code 99 for a cardiac/resp. arrest.

[GraceRN1]

[quote=HappyNurse2005]Seeing the thread about Code Pink's for rude docs, and others mentioning Code Pink meaning peds cardiac arrest, made me think about the diff Codes we have.
We have
Code Blue-adult cardiac or resp arrest
Code Kinder-peds cardiac/resp arrest
Code Secure-violent/aggressive pt/family-need security asap
Code Red-fire
Code Lindbergh-abducted infant/child
then, there are "alerts"
trauma alert-a trauma coming in (we are a level 1 trauma center)
gold alert-multi system unstable trauma
heart alert-someone comes in who may need the cath lab asap

We only use 2 codes. code BLUE- a pt is on arrest, and code RED- more than 1 pts on arrest.

[Undecided7]

All the hospitals in my area use "code 99" instead of code blue- but I think everyone knows what that means anyway, like "code Red" or "Dr. Red". "Dr. Rush" is for a security problem. Anytime there is a loud announcement over the PA at 3am and it's repeated 3 times and then it's announced, "Dr. Red is now code green"- people know it's not a REAL doctor. The room numbers are NOT announced however- only the unit and then staff are directed once they get there (or follow the crowd). I've only seen neighboring patients hanging around in his/her doorway to get a peek but they are quickly told to go back to their rooms. I would not hesistate to call security if another patient was interfering with a "code" or loitering in the area- it's a violation of HIPPA and a general distraction. So far I haven't seen that but I do work nights so there are less people up and about.

The bottom line is I don't think it matters what the codes are called- as long as the STAFF know what they mean (and sometimes they don't)
(What is a code orange again??-- I know I learned in orientation 5 years ago...)