Perceptions of hospital emergency color codes among hospital employees in Korea

Lee, Ogcheol

doi:10.1016/j.ienj.2018.03.005

Cited by 6 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The recognition rate of emergency codes was 89.4%, which differed from the results of 59.4% and 77.0% revealed by Lee and Lee (2018) and Mapp et al (2015), respectively. While all participants correctly recognized code red and CA/CA-child (fire and CPR), their recognition rate of code grey (patient safety accidents) was relatively lower (67.5%).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 77%

Correlations between emergency code awareness and disaster nursing competencies among clinical nurses: A cross‐sectional study

Jeong¹,

Lee

2020

J Nurs Manag

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Aims This study identified clinical nurses' awareness of emergency codes and disaster nursing competencies and investigated the relationships between these variables. Background Nurses are on the front lines of disaster and emergency response; however, they report not feeling confident about their disaster preparedness. Methods Participants included 234 nurses working at a general hospital in Korea. Emergency code awareness was measured by recognition of and self‐confidence in eight emergency codes, and disaster nursing competencies were measured using the Disaster Nursing Preparedness Response Competency Scale. Data were collected from 17 to 23 October 2019. Results The recognition rate of emergency codes was 87.4%, whereas the level of self‐confidence was 3.30 out of 5. Nurses scored 2.98 out of 5 on disaster preparedness competencies and 3.37 out of 5 on disaster response competencies. Emergency code recognition was positively correlated with self‐confidence and disaster nursing competencies (p < .05). Conclusion Higher recognition of emergency codes among clinical nurses was associated with higher self‐confidence and disaster nursing competencies. Further studies need to develop strategies to improve nurses' awareness and confidence concerning emergency codes. Implications for Nursing Management Nurse managers should pay attention to provide more opportunities for disaster education to improve nurses' self‐confidence and disaster nursing competencies.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 77%

Correlations between emergency code awareness and disaster nursing competencies among clinical nurses: A cross‐sectional study

Jeong¹,

Lee

2020

J Nurs Manag

Self Cite

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“…One of the most popular emergency alert systems in a healthcare setting is the emergency code system, which refers to a series of code words used by hospital staff to quickly and discretely communicate an emergency and mobilize expert assistance [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. The codes are designed to send specific and appropriate resources to the affected patient or incident victims [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most code systems use color-based codes (e.g., “Code Red” for a fire), predicated on the idea that colors are easier to remember and serve as a tool to increase encoding among a target audience [ 2 , 14 ]. However, due to factors such as age, education, culture, and geographic area, individuals often associate specific colors with specific images that may not be universal [ 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, due to factors such as age, education, culture, and geographic area, individuals often associate specific colors with specific images that may not be universal [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. This likely explains why colors that have less culturally engrained meanings, such as black, silver, purple, or orange, are used for a broader range of emergencies, while colors such as red and pink are nearly universally used for fire and pediatric incidents [ 14 , 16 , 20 ]. In fact, surveys of hospital emergency codes in California [ 12 ], Colorado [ 21 ], Florida [ 22 ], Oregon [ 13 ], and Puerto Rico [ 23 ] have indicated there is significant variation among different hospital emergency code systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even the recommendations published by TJC do not align with any of the previously discussed systems [ 11 ]. As the debate continues, applying emergency codes only in color, or color-based emergency codes including some plain language, are still common practices worldwide [ 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Breaking the Code: Considerations for Effectively Disseminating Mass Notifications in Healthcare Settings

Harris

Zerylnick

McCarthy

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Many healthcare facilities use code-based alert systems to notify staff of ongoing emergencies via public announcement systems. This study sought to assess the ability of clinical and non-clinical employees across the State of Georgia to correctly identify their facility’s emergency codes, assess employee’s opinions of emergency alert systems, and identify significant predictors of emergency code identification accuracy. Anonymous electronic surveys asked 304 employees at five facilities to identify the codes for 14 different emergencies. Participants correctly identified the emergency codes with 44.37% accuracy on average. The codes for fire, infant abduction, and cardiac arrest were most commonly identified correctly. Code identification accuracy was significantly associated with training at orientation, knowledge of emergency code activation procedures, facility experience, and the total number of facilities in an employee’s career. Most survey participants favored a code-based alert system over a plain language-based alert system, citing concerns of causing panic in patients and visitors, and of maintaining confidentiality and discretion. The low code identification accuracy suggests healthcare employees may have limited awareness of ongoing emergencies. Transitioning to plain language overhead emergency alerts will better position employees, as well as patients and visitors, to effectively respond to emergencies and disasters occurring within a healthcare facility.

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