Page 31 - COVID Assessment Centre TRAINING DOCUMENT

COVID-19 Code White Special – TIP SHEET

Assessment Centre

Modified activation process

Prior to initiating a Code White, staff should attempt de-escalation techniques, negotiation, redirection,
or some level of problem-solving to avoid an incident and reduce behavior before the situation
escalates.

In the case of a Code White in a suspected (PUI) or COVID-19 +ve patient, the process will be:

• Call 5555, state “Code White Special” and identify the location – floor, wing, room
number/hallway
• Locating to call overhead the “Code White Special”
• Designated Code White Special team (see below) to attend the code

Code White Special will be called overhead regardless of location of patient if the patient is under
investigation or confirmed positive.

Code White Special
Response to a patient with behaviours that pose a harm to self or others must occur as soon as possible.
The urgency to respond must be balanced with the need for staff to meticulously don the appropriate
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), a procedure which takes minutes. Staff safety remains a critical
priority.

A CODE WHITE SPECIAL PPE cart is available at the Assessment Centre for the CODE WHITE team to
don PPE prior to responding to the situation.

REMEMBER:
• Attempt to de-escalate behaviour
• Keep a safe distance from the individual
• Ensure you have a clear exit, standing between the patient and an exit

• Provide an SBAR TOA to the Code white response team

March 20, 2020