AZ Standardization of Code Alerts A 2009 statewide patient safety initiative Fire  Cardiac Arrest  Infant Abduction  Bomb Threat  Combative Person  Combative Person with Weapon   Internal Disaster  External Disaster  Hazardous Material Spill 

Why Standardize Code Alerts? In November, 2006 AZ standardized color coded wristbands. This meant no matter what hospital you worked the colors would be the same across the state. That means your practice is safer. Confusion is eliminated. Doesn’t it make sense to do the same with Code Alerts?

Code Red? What hospital am I at? FIRE!!!! What we want to avoid…CONFUSION I can’t remember! Code 99?

A Statewide Committee was Convened Members of the committee represented: Rural and urban hospitals and hospital systems. A wide geographical area in Arizona spanning from Kingman, Yuma, La Paz, Tucson, Scottsdale, Chandler and Phoenix. Varying health professionals including Environmental Health and Safety, Emergency Departments, Quality Improvement, Risk Management, Security, Disaster Preparedness, Nursing and Education.

Data Reviewed AZ hospitals were asked for their Code Alert P & Ps. 76 hospitals participated. Data was collated looking for commonality. Graphs created to pictorially display results. Arizona data compared with the 11 states nationally that have already standardized.

Results for Code: Fire n=76

Results for Code: Adult Cardiac Arrest

Results for Code: Peds Cardiac Arrest

Code for Bomb Threat

Code for Combative Person

Code for Person with Weapon

Code for Infant Abduction

Code for Child Abduction

Code for Internal Disaster

Code for External Disaster

Code for Hazardous Material Spill

2009 Code Alert Recommendations Fire Code Red Adult & Peds Cardiac Arrest Code Blue Infant & Child Abduction Code Pink

2009 Code Alert Recommendations Combative Person Code Gray Combative Person with weapon Code Silver Bomb Threat Code Yellow

2009 Code Alert Recommendations Internal Disaster Triage Internal External Disaster Triage External Hazardous Spill Code Orange

National Alignment There are 11 states that have standardized. They are: California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Ohio, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, West Virginia New Jersey, Rhode Island. These states agree on most code colors except: Abduction – half are using Code Pink; other half using Code Amber Bomb – most using either Code Yellow or Code Black

What next? Staff Brochure available Pocket guide (on back panel of brochure) Badge size guide (on back panel of brochure) Our date for the new codes to start is: XX/XX/XXXX

Questions?