ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE (KAP) REGARDING EMERGENCY COLOUR CODES AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL, JHARKHAND

Abstract

Background: A hospital emergency code is useful only when staff recognise the alert, understand the locally approved response and act without avoidable delay. Colour-code systems simplify communication, but their reliability depends on shared definitions, clear responsibilities and regular rehearsal. Objective: To examine knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practices concerning institutional emergency colour codes among healthcare professionals in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Jharkhand, India. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study enrolled 384 doctors, nurses, technicians and paramedical personnel. Participants completed a structured bilingual questionnaire containing 10 knowledge, 10 attitude and 10 practice items. Correct or favourable responses were assigned one point and all other responses zero. Each domain had a possible score of 0-10; the composite KAP score ranged from 0 to 30. Results were summarised from the verified dataset using descriptive statistics. Results: The mean knowledge, attitude and practice scores were 7.19 ± 1.17, 6.92 ± 1.14 and 6.44 ± 1.33, corresponding to 71.9%, 69.2% and 64.4% of the maximum score. The mean composite score was 20.55 ± 2.70 out of 30 (68.5%). Overall, KAP was classified as adequate in 214 participants (55.7%), moderate in 165 (43.0%) and inadequate in 5 (1.3%). Practice remained 7.5 percentage points below knowledge. Although 98.2% were aware of the colour-code system, only 26.3% reported participation in a mock drill. Conclusion: The workforce had a sound base of knowledge and generally favourable attitudes, but reported practice was less developed. Institution-wide standardisation, bilingual role-based orientation, repeated multidisciplinary drills and documented competency review are needed to convert recognition into dependable emergency action.