NCJ Number
195358
Date Published
2000
Length
111 pages
Annotation
This document provides information in assessing the condition and managing the treatment of patients potentially exposed to hazardous substances.
Abstract
These guidelines are designed to assist emergency department physicians. The guidelines contain 40 chemical-specific protocols that provide recommendations for the on-scene (pre-hospital) and hospital medical management of patients exposed during a hazardous materials incident. Other professionals, such as first responders, emergency medical technicians, and public health officials, will find this information useful because of the focus of the protocols, but are encouraged to rely on the sources and training in their primary field for complete guidance. Each chemical protocol is divided into five sections. The description section contains synonyms, appearance, routes of exposure, potential for secondary contamination, sources/uses, physical properties, and exposure standards. The health effects section contains organ systems affected by acute exposure and effects of chronic exposure. The pre-hospital management section contains personal protection, decontamination support, triage, and transportation, and is organized by the Hot Zone, the Decontamination Zone, and the Support Zone. The emergency department management section contains specific medical procedures to treat the exposed patient, patient disposition, and is organized by the decontamination area and the critical care area. The patient information sheet section contains information on exposure, potential effects, and follow-up instructions for the victims of a hazardous materials incident. The chemical protocols include acrylonitrile, blister agents, chlordane, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, hydrogen chloride, methyl bromide, nerve agents, phosphine, sulfur dioxide, and vinyl chloride. 4 appendixes, glossary