The California Hospital Association Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) in partnership with the Regional Associations is conducting a brief survey of hospital emergency codes in California. The associations recognize that many hospitals and health systems may be in the process of updating the emergency codes used by their organization. By periodic surveying we can provide aggregate data revealing current trends which may be helpful to these efforts. In addition to emergency code use, we also acknowledge the importance of utilizing clear text or common language consistent with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Standardization and uniformity of emergency codes can assist hospitals by reducing potential confusion among staff responding to emergency incidents and potentially facilitating communication between hospitals and public safety authorities during regional or statewide natural disasters or terrorist incidents. Healthcare workers may practice or work in more than one facility, and most likely will change employers throughout their health care careers, therefore having a standard set of emergency codes that are easily recognized and understood from one healthcare facility to the next benefits hospitals, patients, visitors and workers.

The 2011 HPP Disaster Planning for California Hospitals Conference Building Critical Connections will present a special post-conference workshop titled Active Shooter – Steps to Mitigate Harm. Aggregated data on the use of codes statewide (resulting from this survey) will be incorporated in to the workshop.

The survey should take no more than fifteen minutes to complete, and all hospitals are encouraged to participate. The survey deadline is August 19, 2011.

For more information, please contact 916-552-7681 or email chummel@calhospital.org.

Thank you in advance for your participation!