Plain language replacing color-coded alerts at some hospitals

Inconsistency of color-coded system led to confusion


Charlotte-area hospitals in Carolinas HealthCare System have switched from color codes to “plain language” for emergency alerts, according to an article on the Charlotte Observer.

The goal is to reduce errors and promote safety of hospital staff, patients and visitors by using common-sense language instead of color codes that might differ from hospital to hospital

For example, some hospitals used Code Grey to refer to “a serious weather event” while others used it to mean “a very high-risk security event.” 

Three codes can remain. They are: Code Red and Code Blue, which are widely recognized as alerts for a patient who requires resuscitation or immediate medical attention, and Code Pink for a child abduction.

Read the article.

 

 



February 1, 2016


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Rethinking Carpeting's Role in Senior Care Facilities

New research from the Carpet and Rug Institute finds that carpet supports healthier indoor environments.


Parkview Health Breaks Ground on New Hospital in West Lafayette, IN

The hospital is scheduled to open in June 2028.


Loma Linda University Health Experiences Data Breach via AI Tool

A file containing limited patient information was inadvertently uploaded to an external artificial intelligence (AI) platform.


Inside One of Healthcare's Most Ambitious Hospital Projects 

When someone faces a serious medical condition, having access to world-class care close to home can make all the difference. 


Turning Condensate Loss into a Systemwide Steam Efficiency Opportunity

Case study: How APM Steam helped Atrium Health Cabarrus uncover hidden steam system inefficiencies and build an actionable repair plan with a projected $144,949 in annual energy savings.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.