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Post by compeateropeator on Sept 13, 2017 1:14:17 GMT
Do you think code words/phrases (that aren’t really in code) help alleviate fear and lessen panic?
I had family in a hospital today that had an active shooter. The “code silver” announcement was made. My guess is most adults were able to determine what that code was for, just as they would have if it was a code red and even possibly if it was a code stork, but maybe not? Would you know what that meant if you heard it announced?
I also work for a hospital and all employees are required to take yearly competencies/testing for a variety of subjects related to health care and hospital procedures and protocol. One such test is about codes for situations such as code silver for an active shooter. They say to lessen the panic they are announced this way. Do you think giving a code name to these type of situations really does help people keep calm?
I understand that it certainly benefits children. I would rather hear it announced as a code silver than an active shooter, but I wonder if it really does keep the situation under wraps and the panic down.
Sorry this is kind of a strange question/thread.
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used2scrap
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Post by used2scrap on Sept 13, 2017 1:18:04 GMT
Interesting, I would have thought of a missing patient with dementia/special needs like the "Silver Alerts" (akin to Amber Alerts). I think they are a good idea to prevent panic and perhaps delay the suspect knowing help is coming.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Sept 13, 2017 1:18:25 GMT
I wouldn't know code silver was an active shooter.
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Post by monklady123 on Sept 13, 2017 1:19:27 GMT
Do you think code words/phrases (that aren’t really in code) help alleviate fear and lessen panic? I had family in a hospital today that had an active shooter. The “code silver” announcement was made. My guess is most adults were able to determine what that code was for, just as they would have if it was a code red and even possibly if it was a code stork, but maybe not? Would you know what that meant if you heard it announced? I also work for a hospital and all employees are required to take yearly competencies/testing for a variety of subjects related to health care and hospital procedures and protocol. One such test is about codes for situations such as code silver for an active shooter. They say to lessen the panic they are announced this way. Do you think giving a code name to these type of situations really does help people keep calm? I understand that it certainly benefits children. I would rather hear it announced as a code silver than an active shooter, but I wonder if it really does keep the situation under wraps and the panic down. Sorry this is kind of a strange question/thread. I wouldn't necessarily know that "code silver" was a shooter because my hospital has a different code for that. Just like "code black" isn't what the TV show "Code Black" says it is. lol. At my hospital we have "Dr. Strong please report to the ER... Dr. Strong to the ER". I sometimes wonder if people will figure that one out but I never see anyone give any indication that they know. I really think most people don't listen to the PA. (Dr. Strong is the code for "send security to the ER".) |
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eleezybeth
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Post by eleezybeth on Sept 13, 2017 1:26:39 GMT
I would know because I've worked in a lot of hospitals. My last hotel only had 4 codes. The one previous it was like 12. I never could remember code white or code pink. Thankfully the back of our badges was a cheat sheet. I also served on the "Dr. Strong" team so when it was called I had to report.
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J u l e e
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Post by J u l e e on Sept 13, 2017 1:27:48 GMT
I don't know if I would have guessed Code Silver. But I would rather hear that than Active Shooter.
My husband was in the ER last weekend (beach volleyball vs aging man - he's fine) and we heard Code Violet. My BIL was with us. He works at the hospital. He said it was code for a violent patient. I actually thought they said Code Violent when I heard it, so that one didn't seem too "code" to me.
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Post by compeateropeator on Sept 13, 2017 1:33:53 GMT
You are all probably correct in that most people wouldn't necessarily know what the code meant. Although I remember thinking the very first time that I did the "test" for these codes that they really picked obvious words/descriptions and that people could easily figure them out. Sadly the code silver had to be added to the code list a few years ago. It makes it all that much more real on how often these type of situations are happening when you have to add it to the list. They have been reporting the code silver in all the news reports, so this one will not be a secret any longer.  |
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Post by mom on Sept 13, 2017 1:49:16 GMT
I would have no clue that code silver is for an active shooter. I would have assumed it meant a senior citizen was missing & been concerned but not panicked.
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leeny
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Post by leeny on Sept 13, 2017 2:38:31 GMT
I have heard those codes while staying in the hospital or visiting family. I always hoped staff knew what to do and would let me know what I needed to do if anything.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Sept 13, 2017 2:45:07 GMT
In every single one of my medical clinic's exam rooms is a giant sheet with all the codes, right above the phone, right next to where the patient sits, and when I have to wait 20 minutes for my doctor, I sit there and read that sucker, every. single. time. (I actually find it most interesting to read the protocol for severe weather.)
I would not have guessed that code silver, in a hospital, referred to an active shooter. I too would have thought it referred to something with an elderly patient, maybe a fall.
I did occasionally call codes when I worked retail-- there was a code name for our loss prevention office, and I did once have to call a Code Adam (missing kid). I don't know that they really lessen any panic so much as they are a way to convey a lot of information to a lot of staff in a very rapid fashion.
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Post by anonrefugee on Sept 13, 2017 2:53:59 GMT
Code Stork?
If that's not Obstetrics- related I'll be surprised. One of my clients is a hospital and my security badge there has the codes printed on back, only a few require my attention.
I would think most visitors tune out those announcements, or if present long enough start to see patterns of behavior and decode them. In my experience staff is chatty about what is taking place when they're comfortable with you.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2017 3:18:04 GMT
I think codes work well for diffusing widespread panic. Even if they are seemingly easy to decode it allows the message to be broadcast to those that need to know in a way that doesn't use graphic or "trigger" words (pardon the pun) so for a surprising number of people the message will just flow through the air along with the call for various offices, services, etc. Or they will guess a different meaning. Code silver could be a shooter, help with an elderly patient or someone needs to tend to sterilizing some surgical tools.
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Post by compeateropeator on Sept 13, 2017 3:20:11 GMT
Code Stork? If that's not Obstetrics- related I'll be surprised. One of my clients is a hospital and my security badge there has the codes printed on back, only a few require my attention. I would think most visitors tune out those announcements, or if present long enough start to see patterns of behavior and decode them. In my experience staff is chatty about what is taking place when they're comfortable with you. That is my hospital's code for a child abduction. Then they give a number like 0 = baby, 10 = ten year old and then a building/floor. I am sure that you are right that people don't really listen. They all just seem so obvious to me, but maybe that is because I am looking at their name and their meaning together. |
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Post by compeateropeator on Sept 13, 2017 3:22:15 GMT
I think codes work well for diffusing widespread panic. Even if they are seemingly easy to decode it allows the message to be broadcast to those that need to know in a way that doesn't use graphic or "trigger" words (pardon the pun) so for a surprising number of people the message will just flow through the air along with the call for various offices, services, etc. Or they will guess a different meaning. Code silver could be a shooter, help with an elderly patient or someone needs to tend to sterilizing some surgical tools. This is a great explanation. |
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paget
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Post by paget on Sept 13, 2017 3:52:20 GMT
I also guessed that code silver had to do with an elderly patient. Is it just me or should an active shooter NOT have a code?! Shouldn't everyone be alerted so they can be safe? I don't get that one at all.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2017 3:59:38 GMT
I also guessed that code silver had to do with an elderly patient. Is it just me or should an active shooter NOT have a code?! Shouldn't everyone be alerted so they can be safe? I don't get that one at all. A code allows the staff to know what is going on, start whatever procedures they need to do without causing panic. For instance, it may be the staff will suddenly start calling patients to the back as though the doc is ready to see them instead of leaving them in the waiting area. Then the doors to the wait area can be closed/locked so no one else can enter. In the mean time everyone just assumes they are waiting to see the doctor instead of getting panic, start screaming or running without knowing where they are running. |
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Post by hjs on Sept 13, 2017 4:05:41 GMT
In the hospital i worked at, code silver indicated a technical issue, as in the computer systems were down. I have been retired for a few years now , so that may have changed
Being in Canada , there was no code for an active shooter. I am not sure what would be called in that situation.
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Post by cawoman on Sept 13, 2017 4:06:14 GMT
Not a code but when my husband was hospitalized recently, each time a baby was born a short lullaby would play. It was nice to hear it every time. I don't know if that's a common thing or not.
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Post by chrissypie on Sept 13, 2017 10:39:08 GMT
Awww, that is the cutest thing I ever heard (the lullaby for a baby born) - I would love it if my local hospitals did that!
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sueg
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Post by sueg on Sept 13, 2017 10:46:11 GMT
I also guessed that code silver had to do with an elderly patient. I s it just me or should an active shooter NOT have a code?! Shouldn't everyone be alerted so they can be safe? I don't get that one at all. If you were to announce over a hospital loudspeaker that there was an active shooter on site, you would cause a mass panic, which could lead to people being less rather than more safe. |
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Post by quinmm14 on Sept 13, 2017 10:49:33 GMT
I also would have thought that code silver was related to an elderly patient.
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Post by brina on Sept 13, 2017 11:59:19 GMT
I don't know if I would have guessed Code Silver. But I would rather hear that than Active Shooter. My husband was in the ER last weekend (beach volleyball vs aging man - he's fine) and we heard Code Violet. My BIL was with us. He works at the hospital. He said it was code for a violent patient. I actually thought they said Code Violent when I heard it, so that one didn't seem too "code" to me. I am laughing because my dh spent last week in the hospital and we got on a tear on the topic. We were trying to come up with the least alarming color they could use for an emergency and decided on Code Lilac. It was one of those moments where we were hysterical on the topic, that wasn't really all that funny, but it broke up the tension of the situation. |
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sueg
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Post by sueg on Sept 13, 2017 12:02:15 GMT
I am laughing because my dh spent last week in the hospital and we got on a tear on the topic. We were trying to come up with the least alarming color they could use for an emergency and decided on Code Lilac. It was one of those moments where we were hysterical on the topic, that wasn't really all that funny, but it broke up the tension of the situation. Surely it would be Code Beige? About as bland and boring as you could get. Not sure what you would use it for though. |
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QueenoftheSloths
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Sept 13, 2017 12:35:59 GMT
On the radio yesterday they were talking about secret code words used at the Disney parks so that no one has to hear anything negative. "Treasured guest" means that you are being difficult or demanding. "Protein spill" is code for vomit.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Sept 13, 2017 15:12:23 GMT
I would have no clue that code silver is for an active shooter. I would have assumed it meant a senior citizen was missing & been concerned but not panicked. Same for me. Silver would point me to senior citizen. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2017 15:25:01 GMT
On the radio yesterday they were talking about secret code words used at the Disney parks so that no one has to hear anything negative. "Treasured guest" means that you are being difficult or demanding. "Protein spill" is code for vomit. That one made me lol in an office full of people. |
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Montannie
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Post by Montannie on Sept 13, 2017 17:22:54 GMT
Not a code but when my husband was hospitalized recently, each time a baby was born a short lullaby would play. It was nice to hear it every time. I don't know if that's a common thing or not. They do this locally, too, at least at the hospital I am at infrequently. |
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Post by leftturnonly on Sept 13, 2017 17:28:15 GMT
I approve of them so long as there aren't so many that the people needing to know can't remember what each code means.
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Post by rst on Sept 13, 2017 17:35:48 GMT
During a very lengthy hospital stay with my son, I got bored enough to google the meaning of the various codes -- came right up, specific to the hospital we were in. i found it interesting. They had a "surprise" inspection and the code was "titanium" -- the nurse's aide in the room with us didn't know what that was, so I was able to clue her in -- LOL.
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Post by Zee on Sept 13, 2017 17:47:07 GMT
Not a code but when my husband was hospitalized recently, each time a baby was born a short lullaby would play. It was nice to hear it every time. I don't know if that's a common thing or not. I'm not sure how common it is but they did it where I used to work. We didn't have a Code Silver. Blue= someone is coding (cardiac or resp arrest) Pink= baby coding Lavender= baby/child abduction Red= fire Green= psych emergency Black= tornado Walker= someone is missing who may be in danger (elderly, for example) Brown= not official, but we need all hands on deck to clean up a poopy nightmare Also added were Alerts, specifically MI and Stroke Alerts to make sure the cath lab was called in and Stroke protocol was activated Some are standard but some can change per facility. I can't remember any others right off the bat. Seems there was an orange and gray but I sure can't remember what they might have been. |
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