Code Grey protocol becomes a reality in hospitals in the State

The Code Grey protocol, drawn up by the Health department to ensure the safety of health workers, patients and hospitals, was released by Health Minister Veena George here on Saturday

The Code Grey protocol has been drawn up along the lines of the same implemented in all developed nations, while tweaking it to suit the State’s context, she said.

Workshops

The protocol was drawn up after holding workshops, with the participation of the officials of both the Police and the Health departments and legal experts and after collecting the opinions of medical experts in India and abroad. The final version was cleared after meetings at the highest level, a statement issued by the Health department said.

Special fund has been allocated for the implementation of Code Grey in hospitals.

All government hospitals should mandatorily implement Code Grey

Preplanned response

Hospital overhead codes have been devised as part of hospitals’ emergency management and response to ensure that there is a uniform and preplanned response to various emergencies, which can often save time as well as lives.

Code Grey is usually called to alert the hospital staff to a dangerous or combative person in the hospital or to criminal activity somewhere in the hospital. A hospital may use Code Grey “if someone, including a patient, is being aggressive, abusive, violent, or displaying threatening behaviour”.

Welcomed

The Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) has welcomed the Code Grey protocol released by the Health department.

In a statement here, the KGMOA said that the implementation of the said protocol will boost the morale of health workers and help them engage in work with more confidence and a sense of security.

It appreciated the lead role taken by the Health Minister in formulating the protocol.