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If an active shooter incident occurs, follow these steps: In addition, an announcement may be made to security personnel and supervisory personnel via phone, eliminating panic and giving everyone time to evacuate or shelter in place. This may prevent panic and unnecessary loss of life when such an incident occurs.
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However, some facilities, to prevent an active shooter incident from worsening, may have taken an alternative approach, not using a code and using plain language only. However, Joint Commission standards were updated in 2010, which advise facility managers to use Code Silver to denote active shooter incidents.ĭuring this emergency preparedness code activation, an overhead announcement may be made.įor example, “Security Alert, Active Shooter, South 5, White Male in Blue Jeans.” Depending on facility preference, Code Silver or Code Grey may be used interchangeably. Although the new requirements revolve around administrative protocols, it is important that health care professionals understand the primary emergency codes first.Ĭode Designations Code Silver – Active ShooterĪn active shooter is defined as an event in which an individual or group Breakdown of Active Shooter Prevalence. Training on such emergencies must be conducted at a minimum of every 12 months.įurthermore, health care facilities only have until November 15, 2017, to draft and finalize emergency preparedness administrative plans for responding to emergencies under new CMS protocols. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides additional direction for all provider types responding to emergencies, particularly those involving community-based or facility-based emergency communication. Depending on the type of facility, emergency codes may be created by internal administrative officials or oversight agencies.įor example, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) manages emergency code support among home and community support services agencies (HCSSAs) in Texas, like skilled nursing facilities and long-term rehabilitation facilities.
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A Bit More About Emergency CodesĮmergency codes help facility personnel understand how to effectively manage emergencies. In the interim, you can use this guide as a refresher of common code designations and proper protocols for responding to emergencies in the health care facility. However, it is important to check with your local facility administrator or nurse educator for code designations at the time of hiring, re-evaluation, and continuing education. Among Joint Commission-certified hospitals, most codes maintain industry-wide designations and similarities.
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