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Code Black

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Code Black is U.S. jargon for various kinds of emergency situations, especially a Hospital emergency code.

Color codes denote different events at different workplaces and are not universal. For example, this term may refer to a bomb threat or a bomb being discovered in a workplace. Alternatively, Code Yellow is the term used for a bomb threat in many California hospitals.

In Military hospitals, Code Black is the medical emergency term for mass casualties, as from an epidemic or other public health threat. Mass Casualty is alternatively abbreviated "MASCAL".

Color Code Standardization

In 2000, the Heare Association of Southern California (HASC) determined that a uniform code system is needed. While codes for fire (Code Red) and medical emergency (Code Blue) were similar in 90% of California hospitals queried, there were 47 different codes used for infant abduction and 61 for combative person. In light of this, HASC published a handbook titled "Healthcare Facility Emergency Codes: A Guide for Code Standardization" listing various codes and has strongly urged hospitals to voluntarily implement the revised codes. According to this revised coding scheme, Code Yellow denotes a bomb threat. Despite California's attempt at standardization, in some hospitals (including the Texas Tech University hospital: see link below), Code Black denotes a bomb threat.

In Australia Australian Standard 3745-2002, "Emergency control organization and procedures for buildings, structures and workplaces" defines a code black as a personal threat. This incorporates a diverse range of situations including assaults, confrontations, hostage situations and threats of personal injury or attack.

Pop culture trivia

Code black is a medical term used in the ABC series Grey's Anatomy, in the episode "It's The End of the World, Part 1". In this instance, the term refers to the presence or the threat of a bomb within the hospital.

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