Your Hospital Stay

At Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre (ERHHC), keeping everyone safe is very important to us. We have thorough plans in place to deal with all kinds of emergencies.

 

Plans are managed by the Emergency Preparedness Committee, a group of staff from different departments. They work together to help prevent emergencies, prepare for them, respond quickly when they happen, and recover afterward.

 

What Are Emergency Codes?

Emergency codes are used internally across our organization to let staff know that something serious is happening and action is needed right away. ERHHC uses a set of color codes that are the same as many other hospitals in Ontario.

 

Our staff, doctors, and volunteers are trained often so they know exactly what to do during an emergency. If you're at the hospital and hear an overhead announcement or see staff responding to a code, please stay calm and follow their instructions.

 

 

How to Report an Emergency

If you are inside the hospital and see an emergency, report the situation to a staff member as soon as possible. Give as much information about what and where the emergency is happening so that staff can act as quickly as possible.

 

What to Do if You Hear an Emergency Code

If you hear a code announced over the speaker:

• Stay calm.
• Listen carefully.
• Follow any directions given by staff or over the speakers.
• Be ready to move or leave the area if asked.

Following these steps will help keep you and others safe.

 

Codes and definitions

CODE RED: Fire

 

If you see a fire, stay calm and remember to REACT:

• R – Remove people in danger if it’s safe to do so. Shout “Code Red” and say where the fire is to get help.
• E – Ensure doors are closed to keep fire and smoke from spreading.
• A – Activate the fire alarm by pulling the nearest fire alarm pull station.
• C – Call for help. Shout “Code Red” and say where the fire is.
• T – Try to put out the fire only if it is small and you feel safe doing so. If not, leave the area right away.

 

When the Fire Alarm Goes Off:

• Stop what you're doing and listen to the announcements.
• If the fire is near you, leave the building using the closest safe exit. Stay nearby so staff can make sure everyone is safe.
• Close doors behind you when you leave. Fire doors will close automatically to help stop the fire, but you can push them open to get out.

 

IMPORTANT:

• Do not use elevators (only pertains to Family Health Team).
• If you see smoke, use a different exit.

CODE GREEN: Evacuation

 

An evacuation may be needed due to an emergency inside or outside the building. This can involve moving some or all people out of the facility. Code Green is announced by a continuous alarm bell.

 

When you hear the alarm:

• Stop your activity and listen carefully to any announcements.
• Stay where you are unless you are told to move by the announcement or a staff member nearby.
• Get ready to leave the area and go to a safe location inside or outside the building. Use the nearest exit when told to do so.

CODE YELLOW/AMBER –Missing Patient/Resident/Client

 

If you believe you have seen the person described in the announcement, inform a nearby staff member immediately. For your safety and the safety of others, do not join the search, especially outside the building or on the hospital grounds.

 

If a Code Amber is called, the police will be notified, and the facility may go into lockdown.

CODE ORANGE – External Disaster or Chemical. Biological, Radiological or Nuclear Disaster (CBRN)

 

A Code Orange may be called when the hospital’s staff or resources are overwhelmed (Code Orange – Disaster), or if there is a chemical, biological, radioactive, or nuclear event (Code Orange – CBRN). Depending on the situation, outpatient services may be cancelled to help care for a sudden increase in patients.

Please continue to listen to the announcements and follow the instructions of nearby staff.

 

CODE WHITE – Violent/Behavioral Situation

 

Code White refers to plans and procedures that manage violent or potentially violent patients who present a danger to themselves or others. ERHHC is committed to providing a safe and secure work environment, free from violence, threats, intimidation, and harassment. Threats, threatening behavior or acts of violence against employees, affiliates, clients, visitors, residents or other individuals on ERHHC property will not be tolerated.

 

If you witness a violent situation, tell a staff member as soon as possible.

 

If you are in the immediate area of a Code White situation, follow staff instructions. Do not try to help. If you are not in the immediate area, do not enter the area.

 

 

CODE SILVER – Threatening Weapon

 

A Code Silver is the emergency code used to signify a person with a weapon.

 

If you see someone with a weapon:

• Dial 911 immediately and provide the operator with information regarding the location/description of the person(s) and type of weapon(s).

 

If a Code Silver is announced determine the safest way to protect yourself:

• Evacuate if you are close to an exit and you can get there safely without attracting attention, leaving your belongings, OR
• Hide. Go into a room or other area out of the assailant’s view, lock/barricade the doors, shut off the lights, silence cell phones, take cover and remain low to the ground. Do not leave until the OPP advises you to do so.

 

 

CODE PURPLE - Hostage Taking

 

A Code Purple is called in the event of a situation where any person is forcibly confined or held against their will, with the threat of a weapon or threat of violence.

 

If you witness or are involved in a hostage taking situation or use of a weapon:

• Dial 911 immediately and provide the operator with information regarding the location/description of the hostage taker(s), type of weapon(s), location and number of hostages.
• Leave the area if it is safe to do so and inform a staff member of what is happening.
• DO NOT attempt any action that puts you at risk. Do not initiate conversation with hostage taker(s,) but do respond if spoken to.
• Wait for ERHHC staff and police to arrive.

 

If you are not involved in the hostage incident:

• Listen to announcements and stay away from the area
• Do not contact people outside of the hospital. This may result in many unwanted phone calls and visitors to the site.
• Leave if it is safe to do so.

 

CODE BROWN – Infacility Hazardous Spill

 

If you notice a spill, let a staff member know immediately and give as much information as possible about the contents of the spill. 

If a Code Brown is paged, listen to the instructions given and stay away from the area.

 

CODE BLACK - Bomb Threat/Suspicious Object

 

Code Black means there may be a bomb in the building. If you hear a Code Black announcement, leave the building right away. If you see something that looks strange or out of place, tell a staff member immediately. DO NOT TOUCH IT.

 

CODE GREY – Infrastructure Loss/Failure or External Air Exclusion

 

Code Grey – Infrastructure Loss: means that something important, like water, power, phones, or computers, has stopped working. This can affect daily activities and patient care. If you hear this code, stay where you are and wait for more instructions.

 

Code Grey – External Air Exclusion: means the air outside is unsafe or poses danger to clients. This could be because of things like a smoky fire or dangerous chemicals. If you hear this code, stay calm and wait for more instructions. All exit doors will be locked except for the main entrance. The building’s air systems will be turned off to keep the outside air from coming in.

 

 

CODE BLUE - Cardiac Arrest/ Medical Emergency OR 
CODE PINK - Cardiac Arrest/ Medical Emergency

  

A Code Blue means an adult is having a medical emergency, like a heart attack, outside of patient care areas.
A Code Pink means a child or baby is having a medical emergency outside of patient care areas.

 

The emergency team will bring special equipment and take over the emergency situation.

If you are nearby when Code Blue or Code Pink is called, stay out of the way so staff can do their job quickly and safely.

 

 

Contact Us

For more information on Emergency Preparedness at ERHHC, email abrunetti@esphosp.on.ca.