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Hospital and Healthcare Security Course 2026

This course is for security guards who work in hospitals, clinics and long-term care homes in Canada. It covers emergency colour codes, aggression and patients in crisis, infection control and sharps safety, and patient privacy.

  • Security course
  • Canada
  • 25 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 15 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Start with the lessonsHospital and Healthcare Security Course: Lessons: about 15 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Recognize the hospital emergency colour codes used in Canada
  • Respond to aggression with de-escalation and teamwork
  • Follow hand hygiene and isolation precautions
  • Handle sharps and needlestick injuries safely
  • Protect patient privacy and health information

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    In Canadian hospitals, what does Code Red mean?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Fire

    Code Red is the fire code in both Alberta Health Services and Ontario hospitals that use the standard codes.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    What does Code Blue usually mean in a hospital?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Cardiac arrest or other medical emergency

    Code Blue is called for a cardiac arrest or medical emergency. Some Ontario hospitals use Code Pink for a child.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    A visitor starts shouting threats and pushing staff. Which code is used for violence or aggression?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Code White

    Code White is called for an incident involving aggression or violence. Security usually responds as part of a team.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    What does Code Yellow mean in Alberta Health Services and Ontario standard codes?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A missing person, such as a missing patient

    Code Yellow is activated when a person is missing. Some Ontario hospitals use a separate Code Amber for a missing infant or child.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    Which code is used for a bomb threat or suspicious item after a threat?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Code Black

    Code Black covers bomb threats and suspicious items found after a bomb threat.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    Which code means part or all of the site must be evacuated?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Code Green

    Code Green is activated when an incident requires full or partial evacuation of the site.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    A container of cleaning chemical breaks and spills in a hallway. Which code applies?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Code Brown

    Code Brown covers chemical spills and hazardous substance releases.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    A bus crash sends more injured people than the emergency department can handle normally. Which code is likely?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Code Orange

    Code Orange is for a mass casualty incident or external disaster that brings a sudden influx of patients.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    What does Code Purple mean in Alberta Health Services and Ontario standard codes?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A hostage situation

    Code Purple is used when someone is held hostage. Alberta also uses it when there is a threat of violence with a weapon.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    Code Grey means air exclusion or shelter in place in Alberta, but loss of an essential service in many Ontario hospitals. What should you take from this?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Code meanings can differ, so learn the list used at your own facility

    Most codes match across provinces, but some differ. Always learn your own facility's codes and your role in each.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, which workers are among those at higher risk of workplace violence?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Health care workers

    CCOHS lists health care employees, as well as police, security and correctional officers, among groups at higher risk of workplace violence.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    An older patient suddenly becomes confused and starts swinging at staff. What should you keep in mind?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The behaviour may come from a medical problem such as delirium, so work with clinical staff

    Pain, infection, delirium, dementia and drugs can all cause aggression. Clinical staff lead care, and security supports safety.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    Who decides whether a patient must be held for a mental health assessment?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The professionals named in the provincial mental health law, such as physicians or police

    Mental health laws, not security staff, set who can require a person to be held. Security assists under hospital policy and clinical direction.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    A worried family member is getting louder at the nursing station. What is the best first step?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Speak calmly, listen, give them space and show you want to help

    Early, calm, respectful communication is the best way to bring tension down before it becomes a crisis.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    How long should you lather your hands with soap when washing them?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 20 seconds

    CCOHS advises lathering with soap for at least 20 seconds, then rinsing and drying well.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    What is the minimum alcohol content an alcohol-based hand sanitizer should have to be effective?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 60%

    Alcohol-based hand sanitizers should contain at least 60% alcohol.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    Your hands have visible blood on them after helping at a scene. What should you use?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Soap and water

    Hand sanitizer does not work well on hands that are visibly soiled with dirt, blood or other matter. Wash with soap and water.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    A patient room has an isolation sign on the door and you need to go in. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Check with the nurse and wear the protective equipment the sign lists

    Isolation signs tell everyone what protection is needed. Following them protects you, patients and others.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    You find a used needle on the floor of a stairwell. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Do not pick it up with bare hands; keep people away and report it or dispose of it using the tools and sharps container your training allows

    Sharps must never go in regular garbage or be left lying around. Report any you find and use proper tools and a sharps container.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    What is the safe rule for putting the cap back on a used needle?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Do not recap needles unless a law requires it

    Needles should not be recapped. Used sharps go straight into a puncture-resistant sharps container.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    You are stuck by a used needle. What should you do first?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Rinse the area under running water, gently wash with soap, and report it right away

    CCOHS advises rinsing with running water and washing gently with soap, then telling your employer right away and following medical advice.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    When should a sharps container be replaced?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When it is three-quarters full

    Sharps containers should be removed and replaced when they are three-quarters full, before they become dangerous to use.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    What does Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) govern?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. How personal health information is collected, used and shared in the health sector

    PHIPA is Ontario's health privacy law. It sets rules for collecting, using and disclosing personal health information.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    A caller asks you whether their friend was admitted to the hospital last night. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Do not confirm anything and refer the caller to the proper hospital staff or process

    Even the fact that a person is a patient is health information. Security staff do not share it; they refer callers to the right department.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    A Code Yellow is called for a patient who may wander. What is a typical security role?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Check your assigned areas and exits using the patient's description, and report what you find

    During a missing person code, security usually searches assigned areas, watches exits and reports quickly. Fire exits must never be locked.

What to know before the test

  • In Alberta Health Services, Code White means violence or aggression, Code Yellow a missing person and Code Purple a hostage situation.
  • Some codes differ: in many Ontario hospitals Code Grey means loss of an essential service, while in Alberta it means air exclusion.
  • Hand sanitizer should have at least 60% alcohol; wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when hands are visibly dirty.
  • Used needles should not be recapped, and sharps containers should be replaced when three-quarters full.
  • Ontario's PHIPA governs how personal health information is collected, used and shared in the health sector.

Frequently asked questions

Are hospital colour codes the same across Canada?

Most are similar, such as Code Red for fire and Code Blue for a medical emergency, but some differ between provinces and facilities. Always learn your own facility's list.

What does Code White mean?

Code White is called for an incident involving violence or aggression. Security usually responds as part of a trained team.

What should I do after a needlestick injury?

Rinse the area under running water, gently wash with soap, report it to your employer right away and follow the medical advice you get.

How long does the course take?

The five lessons take about 15 minutes to read. The final test has 25 questions and you need 80% to pass.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace the security licence training required in your province or territory.

Sources

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