Texas hospitals work to reduce security code confusion

Some feel there might be too many color options


Conflicting security code colors about major events — such as bomb threats, fires, power outages and dangerous weather — may be resulting in poor coordination, delays in response and confusion for patients at healthcare facilities, according to an article on the Dallas News website.

The warning systems are undergoing new scrutiny as providers coordinate efforts to prepare for threats such as infectious diseases and mass casualty events. 

In June, the Texas Hospital Association recommended that hospitals phase out cryptic color codes by replacing them with plain-language messages. 

Instead of alerts like “code red” or “code black” they suggest the security alerts be more specific: “armed intruder on the fifth floor” or “suspicious package in the emergency room.” 

Read the article.

 

 



July 21, 2016


Topic Area: Security


Recent Posts

Design Standards as Strategic Assets

Done correctly, standards benefit healthcare environments, staff, patients and families.


Rising Violence is Exposing Gaps in Hospital Security

Security experts outline how healthcare facilities can move beyond traditional security to more proactive and coordinated systems.


Murray County Medical Center Reports Data Security Incident

MCMC has implemented several measures to enhance its security posture and reduce the risk of similar future incidents.


Probiotic Cleaning: A Complementary Strategy for Safer Hospital Floors

Managers seeking more resilient approaches to environmental hygiene are turning to probiotic systems to supplement traditional disinfection.


VITAS Healthcare Breaks Ground on New Inpatient Hospice Center in Florida

The 14,000-square-foot VITAS inpatient hospice center will open in 2027 and serve 500+ patients annually.


 
 


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.