Federal [U.S.] law and the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations mandate plans and mechanisms for response by hospitals to hazardous material incidents/accidents be developed and implemented. This paper describes the response of the University Hospitals of Cleveland to these regulations and to the anticipated needs of the community and local industiy. The physical plant constructed and its relationship to the emergency department personnel for staffing this unit are described. Utilization patterns since implementation of this program are presented.
