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Emergency Codes

Emergency Codes At the Hospital

What are emergency codes?

At Woodstock Hospital, we have put several emergency codes in place to ensure a safe environment for all.
Emergency codes notify all necessary people of an event occurring that requires immediate action by staff. Woodstock Hospital utilizes standardized colour codes as supported by the Ontario Hospital Association. Staff, physicians, and volunteers are trained on how to respond to each code in a safe and effective manner.

For all the following codes, your primary responsibilities are to remain calm and where able stay away from the affected area.

Click on the Code to know how to respond.

  • Code Amber – Missing or Abducted Infant or Child (under 18 years of age)

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.
    3. Please do not actively participate in the search.
    4. If a person matching the description is seen, report it to hospital staff.

  • Code Black - Bomb or Suspicious Package (threat or actual)

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. If you see a suspicious item/package, DO NOT touch it and inform a staff member as soon as possible.
    3. Stay away from the affected area (if announced).
    4. If you are in the affected area, stay with your family or support system.
    5. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.

  • Code Blue - Adult Cardiorespiratory or Cardiopulmonary arrest, other life threating Medical Emergencies

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Stay away from the affected area.
    3. If you are in the affected area, stay with your family or support system.
    4. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.

  • Code Brown - Hazardous Spill/Exposure

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Stay away from the affected area.
    3. If you are in the affected area, stay with your family or support system.
    4. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.

  • Code Green – Evacuation (Horizontal, Vertical or Total)

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Stay away from the affected area.
    3. If you are in the affected area, stay with your family or support system.
    4. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.

  • Code Grey – Severe Weather, Utilities, Flood, Medical Gases, Information Technology, Pneumatic Tube Disruptions

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.
    3. If you are in the affected area, stay with your family or support system.
    4. Stay away from the affected area (if announced).

  • Code Orange – External Events or Disaster (Standby, Minor, Major)

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Stay away from the affected area.
    3. If you are in the affected area, stay with your family or support system.
    4. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.

  • Code Pink – Cardiorespiratory or Cardiopulmonary Arrest greater than 28 days

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Stay away from the affected area.
    3. If you are in the affected area, stay with your family or support system.
    4. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.

  • Code Pink NRP– Cardiorespiratory or Cardiopulmonary Arrest 28 days of age or less

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Stay away from the affected area.
    3. If you are in the affected area, stay with your family or support system.
    4. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.

  • Code Purple – Hostage Taking

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Stay away from the affected area.
    3. If you are in the affected area, move away if it is safe to do so. If it is not safe to move away, hide in place immediately.
    4.  Await instructions from staff and/or police.

  • Code Red – Fire Alarm, Confirmed Fire

    How to Respond

    If you discover a fire:

    1. Remove yourself from immediate danger.
    2. Call out “Fire” and the location for assistance.
    3. Activate the fire alarm using the nearest pull station.
    4. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.

    If you hear an announcement:

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Stay away from the affected area.
    3. If you are in the affected area, stay with your family or support system.
    4. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.

    Do not use elevators.

  • Code Silver – Active Shooter or Armed Intruder

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Stay away from the affected area.
    3. Evacuate if safe to do so.
    4. Hide if you are unable to evacuate safely.
    5. Fight back only as a last resort and only if your life is in imminent danger.
    6.  Await instructions from staff and/or police.

  • Code Transfusion – Massive Hemorrhage

    How to Respond

    1. Remain Calm.
    2. Stay away from affected area.
    3. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.

  • Code White – Violent/Aggressive Person

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Stay away from the affected area.
    3. If you are in the affected area, stay with your family or support system.
    4. Do not try to help!
    5. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.

  • Code Yellow – Missing Person (18 years of age and older)

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Please do not actively participate in the search.
    3. If a person matching the description is seen, report (the) sighting to hospital staff.
    4. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.

  • Infectious Threat Emergency

    How to Respond

    1. Remain calm.
    2. Wait for instruction from staff if in the immediate area.

If you see something, say something! Always inform the closest hospital worker as soon as possible, as they are trained to know the appropriate response actions.

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