The Humboldt Broncos bus crash prompted Saskatchewan to call a Code Orange, indicting that all levels of hospital will need to turn their focus towards treating the victims.
When nurses hear this, they know it’s a mass casualty event and have to start preparing for whatever may come through the door.
Acting President of the BC Nurses Union Christine Sorensen says a code orange can have a big impact on care providers mental health.
“Post traumatic stress disorder can be experienced by nurses and other healthcare workers after attending to incidents relating to a Code Orange. So, certainly in the hospital we would advocate for critical incident stress debriefing.”
Sorensen added they offer support workshops to help nurses who may feel overwhelmed by the situation.
On the rare occasion a code orange is called, other province do what they can to aid.
“We have considered, in tragic events and situations like this, providing support or reaching out to the Nurse Union in that province to see what they need and we have made, in the past, financial donations to areas.”
Health authorities regularly train to make sure they are prepared when a code orange is called.
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