Pulse NewsLink

Code Broadcasts Will Include Plain Language
Dec 27, 2017

To provide a safer environment for patients, visitors, and team members, Lakeland will use plain language with codes for the following emergency broadcasts, effective January 1:

• Code Yellow/Hazardous Materials Incident (if it affects public and team member safety)
• Code Pink/Child Abduction
• Code Green/Missing Person
• Code Silver/Hostile Action (active attacker with or without weapon)
• Code Orange/Bomb Threat
• Code Red/Fire

Incident Command System (ICS), the Emergency Nurses Association, and best practices for health care endorse the use of plain language codes.

Plain language will not be used for the following code broadcasts:

• Blue
• Purple
• West
• Dr. Armstrong

Nothing will change for a team member who calls in a code. Call center operators will take the information as they always have and add the plain language to the appropriate code when the broadcast is made.