A hazardous materials event — inside or outside the hospital.
A Code Orange is an internal hospital alert for a hazardous materials incident. This means there is a spill, leak, or exposure to dangerous substances like chemicals, radiation, or biological agents. Our primary goal is to prevent these contaminants from entering the hospital or spreading through the facility.
When this code is called, the hospital immediately locks down affected areas to protect patients and staff. Specialized teams, often trained in decontamination, set up portable showers and containment zones. We stop all incoming traffic to the impacted wings to ensure the rest of the facility remains safe and operational.
If you are in the hospital during a Code Orange, you may be asked to remain in your room or move to a different unit. Staff will close doors and windows to create a seal against outside air if the threat is airborne. Follow all instructions from your nurse, as they have specific protocols to keep your environment secure.
Sometimes a Code Orange involves victims arriving from an incident site outside the hospital. These patients are routed through a separate, dedicated entry point so they do not contaminate the main emergency department. We must clean these patients before they enter our treatment rooms to protect everyone else inside the building.
Once the substance is contained and the area is cleaned, the hospital will announce an 'all-clear.' Environmental services will conduct a final safety check to ensure there is no lingering danger. Operations will then return to normal, though you may notice a delay in some elective services while we clear the backlog.