[News] CP Exclusive: Code Grey Activated At Foothills Medical Centre

[Nehkara]

I work at FMC and about 10 minutes ago we had a Code Grey announced. All I know is that Code Grey stands for "Shelter in place/air exclusion". All patients who were not in the main hospital at the time of the announcement have not been let back in, and some staff have been told to leave the main hospital.

Police with rifles are on site.

[BlackArcher101]

660News @660News 5:10pm
Police are investigating reports of a person seen with a firearm at Foothills Hospital. Listen to 660News for more on this developing story

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

I work at FMC and about 10 minutes ago we had a Code Grey announced. All I know is that Code Grey stands for "Shelter in place/air exclusion". All patients who were not in the main hospital at the time of the announcement have not been let back in, and some staff have been told to leave the main hospital.

Police with rifles are on site.

Pics or it didn't happen.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by fotze

Shelter in place/air exclusion

Nice descriptive code eh. WTF does that mean. "Impending (or not) event of varying degree of importance" would be better.

That was my thought exactly fotze.

"Code Grey? What the hell is that? Oh well I'll just check the reference sheet and... Shelter in place/air exclusion... WTF does THAT mean?!"

[Superfraggle]

According to the free online medical dictionary:

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedic....com/Code+Grey

Code Gray
A message announced over a hospital’s public address system, indicating the need for an emergency management response to
(1) A combative person with no obvious weapon
(2) Real or perceived act of terrorism from conventional, nuclear, biological or chemical agents, or other security emergency
(3) Severe weather
(4) Severe air pollution

[Buzzard]

Code GREY:

[Superfraggle]

Originally Posted by fotze

Ohhhhh, gray with an A.

redirected from grey with an "e". Seems like they think it means the same thing!!!

Sounds like it's a general code for shutting down the hospital, keeping people where they are. The air exclusion part probably means they are cut off from outside air (hence why extreme weather/pollution are on there), but might not be a factor in this specific case.

[Nehkara]

They just called: "Code Grey - Phase 1: Emergency Department" about 10 seconds ago.

[Bane]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

I work at FMC and about 10 minutes ago we had a Code Grey announced. All I know is that Code Grey stands for "Shelter in place/air exclusion". All patients who were not in the main hospital at the time of the announcement have not been let back in, and some staff have been told to leave the main hospital.

Police with rifles are on site.

Is that Ocean Grey or Military Grey?

[Superfraggle]

Code Gray/Grey

• A combative person with no weapon under HASC suggestions.
• A security emergency (New Jersey Hospital Association).
• In the Calgary Health Region a Code Grey denotes an air quality issue, or need to enact an air exclusion plan (i.e. shutting off external air circulation, closing windows and doors).
• Severe Weather (Cook Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, TX)
• Emergency team response for inpatient stroke.
• Air Exclusion (Ontario)
• Unruly Patient/Visitor (Tampa General Hospital)
• Patient in violent (psychotic) episode needing restraint/sedative medication

from http://dictionary.sensagent.com/code+blue/en-en/

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by Superfraggle

Code Gray/Grey

• A combative person with no weapon under HASC suggestions.
• A security emergency (New Jersey Hospital Association).
• In the Calgary Health Region a Code Grey denotes an air quality issue, or need to enact an air exclusion plan (i.e. shutting off external air circulation, closing windows and doors).
• Severe Weather (Cook Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, TX)
• Emergency team response for inpatient stroke.
• Air Exclusion (Ontario)
• Unruly Patient/Visitor (Tampa General Hospital)
• Patient in violent (psychotic) episode needing restraint/sedative medication

from http://dictionary.sensagent.com/code+blue/en-en/

The codes changed a short time back though, and I think they were also changed when we became Alberta Health Services rather than the Calgary Health Region.

[Superfraggle]

Good point. I looked up the Alberta Health Services Emergency Response Codes Policy, but all it said was what you said: "Shelter in place/air exclusion". All I had was a short pdf, though, so more might be in the indicated appendix.

Guess we just have to wait for more details.

Is anyone else continuously updating this page waiting for more news?
Is there a link to a story?

[Regulator75]

How often does this happen at a hospital?

Anyone ever heard it before?

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

How often does this happen at a hospital?

Anyone ever heard it before?

I have worked here since June 2005 and I've never heard Code Grey.

My coworker has worked at the Foothills for over 20 years and has never heard a Code Grey.

[Resolute 14]

Even though it makes no sense, that description makes perfect sense. Air exclusion would indicate the old CHR meaning, while "shelter in place" suggests that wherever you are, you need to take cover from something.

Of course, while you sit there trying to reason all of this out, either the man with the gun shoots you, or the poison gas cloud melts your skin off.

Totally unrelated, but if Safeway ever calls a "code brown" over the PA while you are buying groceries, don't go to the washroom.

[freedogger]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Even though it makes no sense, that description makes perfect sense. Air exclusion would indicate the old CHR meaning, while "shelter in place" suggests that wherever you are, you need to take cover from something.

Of course, while you sit there trying to reason all of this out, either the man with the gun shoots you, or the poison gas cloud melts your skin off.

Totally unrelated, but if Safeway ever calls a "code brown" over the PA while you are buying groceries, don't go to the washroom.

And if you are at any Calgary swimming pools, you best get out of the pool.

[Nehkara]

They just called (6:26) "All staff, please remain on your units. All staff, remain on your units."

Originally Posted by freedogger

And if you are at any Calgary swimming pools, you best get out of the pool.

We just call them "Fecals" or a "Contamination". Depending on if if it's a solid or a runny "#2" will determine how long you have to stay out for.

I do like the term "Code Brown" though.

[Nehkara]

I just spoke with a Radiologist here. She doesn't know a lot more than I do but she did confirm that the unofficial word is that there is someone in the hospital with a gun.

The whole hospital is now on lockdown. Patients and staff cannot move or be moved through the building.