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Field Decontamination and Triage in Chemical Emergencies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Constance J. Doyle
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Section of Emergency Services, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan and the Jackson County Emergency Services, Jackson, Michigan, U.S.A.

Extract

Triage and rescue of casualties from accidents involving hazardous materials is a challenge for many emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. With very toxic materials, the untrained and unprepared rescuer may become a victim. In addition, few hospitals in the United States have decontamination units attached to their emergency departments and emergency department personnel may become exposed if the casualty is not decontaminated. Many environmental cleanup teams, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) team, are well trained in materials handling but are not immediately available when a hazardous materials spill with personal injuries occurs.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1987

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