Color coding is a very simple methodology for distinguishing between infected patients or client streams, which makes it very easy, efficient and quick to implement infection control measures in healthcare or other organizations, companies, institutions. The entire methodology is available in one book – “Color coding. Book of Recommendations” It contains explanations of the methodology, implementation instructions, examples, exemplary procedures and all other materials that may be needed.

This book is distributed free of charge because it was created for the common good of all the people of Lithuania in the face of the COVID-19 epidemic. The epidemic makes all the things that increase the safety of people very important. By developing such a methodology, we are increasing the chances of survival for ourselves and for others – this is the common good, the common safety of all of us.

The methodology (version 1.0) can be downloaded here (currently Lithuanian version only): spalviniai-zymejimai-rekomendacijos_ligoninems-covid-rekomendaciju_knyga-v1-92.pdf

Application of the color-coding methodology

The essence of this methodology is to classify customer/patient flows according to three colors: yellow, green and red. Yellow means unknown status, green means not infected and red means infected. This is the basis for classifying premises, equipment, staff and clients/patients. Gateway zones are also provided for transition between the different color zones.

With a good, obvious and convenient demarcation, it is clear to all what levels of security to follow, and unnoticed mix-ups (breaches of infection control) become difficult to achieve.

We have designed the methodology so that it can be easily implemented even by people with little managerial experience, and can be used not only in healthcare institutions, but practically anywhere where infection control is needed.

The same type of methodology can be used in other companies or institutions – wherever there is a need to sparate flows of people. For example, such a methodology can even be applied in logistics companies to separate the flows of drivers on foreign journeys (isolation or non-contact) from the flows of local drivers and from warehouse and transshipment workers.

Authors of the color-coding methodology

The direct authors of the color-coding methodology are Ričardas Savukynas and Laurynas Truncė, but alone we would not have been able to produce this book. Edgaras Kulikauskas, a well-known medical doctor in Lithuania, was our organizer and inspiration. The most eminent experts have contributed greatly with their knowledge, experience, work and advice, and have devoted much of their time and effort to the book:

  • Edgaras Kulikauskas, abdominal surgeon;
  • Dr. Reda Aržanauskienė, cardiologist;
  • Albinas Kalimavičius, anesthesiologist and intensive care physician;
  • Ričardas Peldžius, anesthesiologist-resuscitator;
  • Iveta Vėgelytė, emergency physician;
  • Inga Urtė Builytė, senior resident vascular surgeon;
  • Karilė Levickaitė, psychologist;
  • Andrej Rudanov, medical and pharmaceutical law expert ;
  • Ginreta Megelinskienė, Infectious Disease Management Specialist.

The language has been reviewed by Loreta Vaicekauskiene (Institute of the Lithuanian Language), who has made the book easy to read and beautiful.

The book has been recommended by the Ministry of Health for use by health care institutions.

We hope that this book will be useful and helpful to all those who are concerned about safety, and that it will be particularly useful to those who are involved in process improvement and management in various companies, organizations and institutions.