Hospital emergency codes in Sask: What each colour means
![Sask. Emergency Room An emergency room sign in Regina can be seen in this file photo. (David Prisciak/CTV News)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/3/21/sask--emergency-room-1-6816745-1711043189972.jpg)
In light of the recent bomb scare at one of Saskatoon’s busiest hospitals — here’s a refresher on the emergency codes used in Saskatchewan health facilities and what they mean.
Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital (RUH) and Jim Pattison’s Children’s Hospital (JPCH) was subject to a Code Black on Wednesday. A Code Black is the emergency alert code used for a bomb threat.
Following an investigation, police determined that the alert was issued due to a misunderstanding.
A man who was parked near the hospital’s emergency department was apprehended under the provisions of the Mental Health Services Act. Police found nothing in the vehicle that would be considered a threat to public safety.
Hospitals in the province operate with 10 emergency codes, each associated with a colour according to the Sask. Health Authority (SHA):
Code Red: Fire
Rather self-explanatory. It means a fire or smoke emergency.
Code Orange: Mass Casualty
A sudden influx of patients into an emergency department that exceeds the capabilities of staff and requires additional staffing and resources. Examples would be a multi-vehicle crash or carbon monoxide exposure affecting a group of people.
The SHA notes that over-capacity is not a Code Orange.
Code Green: Evacuation
A needed relocation of patients, residents, clients, visitors and staff in the event that the facility is unsafe or may become unsafe. An example would be evacuating a long-term care facility due to a noxious odor.
Code Brown: Hazardous Material
A situation that sees a hazardous chemical, biologic or radioactive material spilled and which exposure exceeds provincial or federal limits. A Code Brown can be accompanied by a Code Green or Code Orange. A Code Brown may also call for a “Shelter in Place” order.
Code Black: Bomb Threat
A situation which sees a bomb threat made or a suspicious package received.
Code White: Violent Act
When a verbal or physical threat is made towards staff, clients or against the violent person themselves.
Code Yellow: Missing Patient or Resident
When an admitted patient of any age is discovered missing from an acute care facility or long-term care home.
Code Blue: Cardiac/Respiratory Arrest
Used to indicate that a patient is in cardiac/respiratory arrest or any other life-threatening medical emergency.
The code is called immediately when an adult or a child is not breathing or their heart has stopped.
Following the code, the first staff member will announce the department, location in the department or patient room number that the emergency is taking place in.
Code Purple: Hostage Taking
If a staff member or patient is taken hostage inside the hospital. The area of the incident will be cleared and local police will be called to respond.
Code Silver: Active Assailant
An active attacker is on the grounds or inside the facility. A police response is necessary. Staff, patients and visitors are advised to run if possible, hide if available and fight as a last resort.
Some codes are fairly universal across the globe. Codes Red and Blue representing fire and cardiac arrest are commonplace across North America.
The lesser used codes however, do differ significantly.
In Ontario, a Code Pink is used to represent a pediatric cardiac arrest while a Code Grey represents a loss of an essential service.
More information on emergency codes can be found here and here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7027051.1725573856!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Girl, 15, set on fire in assault at Saskatoon high school: police
A 15-year-old girl was set on fire in an assault at Saskatoon's Evan Hardy Collegiate Thursday afternoon, police say.
Liberal national campaign director says he will step down
Embattled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his governing Liberals have taken another hit with Jeremy Broadhurst quitting his job as national campaign director for the party.
Father of Georgia school shooting suspect arrested on charges including second-degree murder
The father of the teenager accused of opening fire at a Georgia high school, killing four people and wounding nine, was arrested on various charges including second-degree murder, authorities said Thursday.
Toronto couple pushes for change after dog attacked by pack of coyotes
It started like any other night for Mary and Doug Youngson: a walk at their neighbourhood park with their rescue dogs, Mai Tai and Kahlua. But when the couple looked around, they say a pack of eight coyotes surrounded them, picked Kahlua up and ran off with him.
A Canadian airline is changing its check-in deadline for all flights. Here's why
Travellers will have to check in 15 minutes earlier than usual according to Air Canada's new cutoff time for all flights.
Man dies after surgeon removed wrong organ at Florida hospital, lawyer says
The lawyer of a woman whose husband died at a Florida hospital says the surgeon removed the wrong organ.
Conservative cuts? Party to share platform 'closer to the next election,' Scheer says
Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer says Canadians will have to wait until 'closer' to the next federal election to learn about the party's platform.
Student convicted of killing classmate in Leduc gets life in prison without parole for 12 years
The man who fatally stabbed a classmate at his Leduc high school in 2021 was sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 12 years on Thursday.
Murder, aggravated assault charges laid in Vancouver stranger attacks
Charges of murder and aggravated assault in a pair of brutal stranger attacks in downtown Vancouver were approved Thursday, one day after the rush-hour rampage left one man dead and another with a severed hand.