Question 1

Code Amber: Missing Infant/Child

Accepted Answer

At Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA), the safety of our patients and visitors is our priority. A Code Amber is activated when an infant or child is reported missing or suspected to have been abducted by an unauthorized person.How to respond:Remain calm.Do not enter the affected area.Stay with your family or support network, if possible.Follow directions provided by hospital staff.Provide Hospital Staff with any information you may have that could be relevant to locating the missing person.To report an emergency: Contact a staff member, if no staff member is available, use the nearest internal hospital phone and dial 0.

Question 2

Code Yellow: Missing Patient

Accepted Answer

At Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA), the safety of our patients, residents, and visitors is our priority. A Code Yellow is activated when a person is reported missing or is absent from their unit or the hospital without authorization. This code may also be used when a staff member, volunteer, visitor, or contractor is reported missing, when required.How to respond:Remain calm.Do not enter the affected area.Stay with your family or support network, if possible.Follow directions provided by hospital staff.Provide Hospital Staff with any information you may have that could be relevant to locating the missing person.To report an emergency: Contact a staff member, if no staff member is available, use the nearest internal hospital phone and dial 0.

Question 3

Code Orange: External Disaster

Accepted Answer

At Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA), a Code Orange is activated in response to an internal or external disaster, or a community-wide event that significantly impacts the health system and requires a hospital-wide response.These situations may involve multiple casualties and can affect normal hospital operations. Our teams will follow emergency procedures and may adjust services as needed to ensure the safest and most effective response.How to respond: Remain calmDo not enter any affected areaIf able to do so, stay with your family/support networkAwait direction from hospital staffTo report an emergency: Contact a staff member, if no staff member is available, use the nearest internal hospital phone and dial 0.

Question 4

Code Red: Fire

Accepted Answer

Code Red procedures have been developed to mitigate the risks associated with FIRE at Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA). If you discover a FIRE, remain calm and remember REACT: 
Remove persons in immediate danger, if possibleEnsure the door(s) is closed to confine the fire and smoke Activate the fire alarm system using the nearest pull station Call extension 3333, identify yourself and state “CODE RED”, confirm location and extent of fireTry to extinguish the fire or continue to evacuate if you are not confident in your ability to put out the fire promptly.How to respond: Remain calmDo not enter any affected areaIf able to do so, stay with your family/support networkAwait direction from hospital staffCaution: Do not use elevators. If you encounter smoke, use an alternative exit.To report an emergency: Contact a staff member, if no staff member is available, use the nearest internal hospital phone and dial 0.

Question 5

Code White: Violence

Accepted Answer

At Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA), the safety of our patients, staff, and visitors is a priority. A Code White is activated in response to threatening, violent, or aggressive behaviour that may pose a safety risk.Our teams are trained to respond quickly and appropriately to help maintain a safe environment for everyone.How to respond: Remain calmDo not enter the affected areaIf within the affected area, stay with your family/support networkAwait direction from hospital staffTo report an emergency: Contact a staff member, if no staff member is available, use the nearest internal hospital phone and dial 0.

Question 6

Code Blue: Cardiac Arrest

Accepted Answer

At Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA), a Code Blue is activated when an adult patient experiences an actual or impending cardiac or respiratory arrest requiring immediate resuscitation., How to Respond:Remain calmAlert a staff memberAwait direction from hospital staff
To report an emergency: Contact a staff member, if no staff member is available, use the nearest internal hospital phone and dial 0.

Question 7

Code Green: Evacuation

Accepted Answer

At Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA), a Code Green is activated when an evacuation is required due to a hazardous or potentially hazardous situation. The safety of patients, staff, volunteers, and visitors guides all evacuation decisions.Depending on the situation, it may be safest to relocate to another area of the hospital or evacuate the building entirely. Our teams will provide direction and support throughout the evacuation process.How to respond:Remain calmDo not enter any affected area(s)If directed to relocate by a staff member, proceed to the designated waiting area. Follow a single file line. Leave all belongings behind.To report an emergency: Contact a staff member, if no staff member is available, use the nearest internal hospital phone and dial 0.

Question 8

Code Pink: Paediatric Cardiac Arrest

Accepted Answer

At Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA), a Code Pink is activated when an infant or child up to 16 years of age, or a pre-pubescent child, experiences an actual or impending cardiac or respiratory arrest requiring immediate resuscitation.How to Respond:Remain calmAlert a staff memberAwait direction from hospital staffTo report an emergency: Contact a staff member, if no staff member is available, use the nearest internal hospital phone and dial 0..

Question 9

Code Brown: Internal Chemical Spill

Accepted Answer

At Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA), a Code Brown is activated when there is a hazardous substance or environmental contamination that requires immediate action.Our teams will work quickly to contain and safely manage the situation, helping to minimize exposure and protect the health and safety of patients, staff, visitors, and others in the affected area.How to Respond:Remain calmDo not enter the affected areaIf within the affected area, stay with your family/support networkAwait direction from hospital staffTo report an emergency: Contact a staff member, if no staff member is available, use the nearest internal hospital phone and dial 0.

Question 10

Code Purple: Hostage Taking

Accepted Answer

At Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA), procedures are in place to guide staff and others during an actual or potential hostage or abduction situation.Our teams are trained to respond appropriately and prioritize the safety of the individuals involved, including patients, staff, visitors, and others, while minimizing the risk of harm.How to respond:Remain calmDo not enter the affected areaIf within the affected area, stay with your family/support networkAwait direction from hospital staff or emergency servicesTo report an emergency: Contact a staff member, if no staff member is available, use the nearest internal hospital phone and dial 0.

Question 11

Code Silver: Person with Weapon

Accepted Answer

At Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA), procedures are in place to guide staff and others when an individual with a weapon is present and poses a threat.Our teams are trained to respond appropriately and prioritize the safety of patients, staff, visitors, and others while minimizing the risk of harm.How to respond:Remain calm and do not enter the affected area.Run – If it is safe to do so, leave the area and move to a secure location.Hide – If you cannot safely evacuate, seek shelter in a designated Secure Shelter area or a room that can be secured. Lock and barricade doors and windows with heavy furniture. Hide out of sight, preferably behind large, solid objects and away from the door.Silence and remain calm – Silence your phone and other devices, remain quiet, and avoid drawing attention to your location.Survive – As a last resort, take action necessary to protect yourself from the threat.Await direction – Follow instructions from hospital staff or law enforcement when it is safe to do so.
To report an emergency: Contact a staff member, if no staff member is available, use the nearest internal hospital phone and dial 0.

Question 12

Code Black: Bomb Threat

Accepted Answer

At Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA), a Code Black is activated when a bomb threat is received or a suspicious package or potential explosive device is discovered on hospital property.Our teams will respond promptly and follow established procedures to protect the safety of patients, staff, visitors, and others, while ensuring emergency services and police are notified when required.How to respond:Remain calmAwait direction from hospital staffIf you identify a suspicious object/package, alert a staff member. DO NOT touch the package. Report the object/package to a staff member
To report an emergency: Contact a staff member, if no staff member is available, use the nearest internal hospital phone and dial 0.

Safety Information

At Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA), the health, safety, and well-being of our patients, visitors, and team members are at the heart of everything we do.

Emergency Preparedness

Code Amber: Missing Infant/Child

Code Yellow: Missing Patient

Code Orange: External Disaster

Code Red: Fire

Code White: Violence

Code Blue: Cardiac Arrest

Code Green: Evacuation

Code Pink: Paediatric Cardiac Arrest

Code Brown: Internal Chemical Spill

Code Purple: Hostage Taking

Code Silver: Person with Weapon

Code Black: Bomb Threat

Infection Prevention and Control

When You Arrive

During Your Visit

When to Stay Home

Outbreaks and Precautions

Learn how to prepare yourself and your family for an emergency, go to: Ontario.ca/BePrepared.