Codes Alerts

Medical responses are occurring across our hospitals campuses regularly. There are many teams that
respond to these situations as they arise. This chart illustrates the verbiage that is currently used and
WILL NOT be changing as we adopt plain language emergency codes. Not all hospitals use every term,
but you should be aware as you may be in a location that uses this terminology.

Fire alarm activation has occurred. Team is

Fire Plan responding to determine threat level and CODE RED + Location
ensure safety of those in the area.
A person (patient, visitor, etc.) is acting
aggressively and is posing an immediate safety
risk to those in close proximity.
Hostile Person Multidisciplinary team will respond.
CODE BERT + Location
Depending on circumstances, security should
be first to engage.

Facility Alerts
Incident resulting in a surge of injured or Facility Alert + Mass Casualty + Description or
Mass Casualty critically ill patients. Manmade or natural. (Location if Internal)

Patients must be moved from their room,
Evacuation either to another area or out of the facility.
Internal or external hazardous materials
Hazmat release. External situation should request
Decon team to the ED.
Adult is missing from their assigned unit and
Missing Adult
believed to be a danger to themselves or
Patient/Resident others based on condition or medication.
Tornado Tornado has been confirmed via radar or
Warning spotter.
Facility Alert + Evacuation (or Relocation) +
Description + Location
Facility Alert + Hazardous Material Spill +
Description (if any) + Location + Instructions
Facility Alert + Missing Adult Patient (or
Resident) + Description of Person + Last Seen
Location
Facility Alert + Tornado Warning +Location +
Implement Sheltering Procedures Immediately

Security Alerts
Child or infant has gone missing from the unit
Abducted Security Alert Infant/Child Abduction Emergency
they were assigned or is un accounted for with
Child/Infant + Description + Last Seen Location
their care giver.
A person with an un holstered gun is acting Security Alert + Active Shooter + Location + Stay
Active Shooter aggressively or making threats. Clear
Security Alert + Suspicious Package + Unknown
A threat is received regarding the placement of a
Bomb Threat bomb within one of our facilities.
Location + Staff members coordinate search of
your immediate area
Access to a unit or the entire hospital is restricted
Hospital Security Alert + Controlled Access Implemented
due to a dangerous situation inside the location
Lockdown + Location
or near the location.
 Medical Alerts
STEMI Stemi alert for an inbound patient or inpatient
needing this protocol CODE STEMI

Stroke Stroke alert for an inbound patient or inpatient

needing this protocol CODE Stroke

Trauma Activates trauma teams to respond to the ED for

inbound patient CODE Trauma

F.A.S.T. National best practice stroke protocol

CODE F.A.S.T.

Sepsis Activates sepsis team for a patient with this

condition- inpatient or new arrival CODE Sepsis

Rapid Response Team responds to assist with a patient that is

decompensating Rapid Response Team
Team
Surge Used when the Emergency Department is at
capacity and needs additional help Code Surge

Malignant Protocol that activates team to the OR for this

type of condition Code Malignant Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia

Medical Emergency
Medical Impending or actual Cardiac or respiratory Arrest
Medical Response Team + Location
Emergency of an adult patient.
Pediatric
Impending or actual Cardiac or respirator arrest
Medical of pediatric patient.
PALS Medical Response Team + Location
Emergency