Code Yellow
The purpose of a Code Yellow is to alert staff that the whereabouts of an individual is currently unknown to the staff in a specific patient/client care area. The Code Yellow policy and procedure will provide all staff with direction for assisting in determining the patient/client’s location and safe return.
Patients may on occasion leave the Unit/Program during the course of their hospitalization. Hospital policies exist to cover these situations (e.g. weekend passes voluntary discharges, etc.). Unit staff must at all times be aware of patients leaving the Unit and the reasons for their departure. When a patient has been away from the Unit/Program for an undue, unplanned period of time, a decision must be made based on the patient’s identified level of risk for wandering/elopement as to the course of action to be taken in instituting a search plan (Code yellow). All areas/units within the hospital must have an area/unit specific search plans.
This policy applies to all patients/clients, employees, members of the professional staff, volunteers, visitors, learners, contractors and all persons who have a relationship with