Color codes are part of hospital culture. Spend enough time at a health care facility and you're bound to hear a Code Blue or Code Pink or Code Amber. These seemingly benign announcements help staff respond to emergencies without inciting alarm. But this system fails when the emergency at hand threatens visitors, patients, and other individuals who aren't versed in the spectrum of codes. Given the rise of hospital shootings?they are now a monthly occurrence in the U.S.?should color codes for such emergencies be replaced with straightforward announcements?
In a social media landscape shaped by hashtags, algorithms, and viral posts, nurse leaders must decide: Will they let the narrative spiral, or can they adapt and join the conversation?
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