Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
3. All patient clothing should be removed and
valuables put into the clear plastic bag and
clothing into the large bag, then put both
bags into the 3rd bag and cinch tight with tag
number in pack. Clothing should be cut away
where necessary.
4. Attention should be paid to minimizing the
aerosolization spread of particulate matter by
folding clothing inside out as removal is being
done and dabbing the skin with sticky tape
and or vacuuming.
5. Patient should have their clothing bag tag
around their neck and wear it through decon
and treatment.
6. The clothing bag should be set aside in a
secure area. If staff is available, the patient's
name and number should be recorded on the
Patient Decon Record.
7. While resting the backboard on saw horses or
other device or with the patient on an EMS
stretcher, the patient should quickly be rinsed
from head to toe with water using either the
hand held sprayer, garden hose, or shower
head; protection from aspiration of the rinse
water should be ensured.
8. Next the patient should be washed with soap
and either a brush or wash cloth in a system-
atic fashion, cleaning airway first followed by
open wounds then in a head to toe fashion for
5 minutes when the agent is non-persistent and
8 minutes when a persistent or unknown agent
is involved. Avoid rubbing too vigorously.
9. The patient should be rolled on their side
for washing of the posterior head, neck,
back, buttocks and lower extremities by 2-4
personnel; attention to a possible neck injury
should be given.
10. Careful attention should be given to washing
the voids and creases such as the ears, eyes,
axilla, and groin.
11. Topical eye anesthetic may be required for
effective eye irrigation to be done.
12. The patient should then be rinsed in a head
to toe fashion that minimizes contamination
spread for about one minute. Overspray or
holding the rinsing devise too close so as to
irritate the skin should be avoided.
13. Decon Team members should be alert to the
probability that the non-ambulatory patient
may require ABC's support (airway posi-
tioning, suctioning, O
2
administration, spinal
stabilization, etc.) and administration of life
saving antidote administration by IM injec-
tion. If IV therapy is needed the extremity site
for the IV should be deconned quickly before
the IV is started. If IV therapy is needed the
patient shouldbe pulledout of line in theDecon
Corridor but remain in the Decon Sector.
14. The patient should be dried off, put into
a hospital gown, and transferred to a clean
backboard (or clean off and dry the board
they are on if additional boards are not avail-
able). Patients on an EMS stretcher should be
transferred to a clean backboard.
15. Decon soap, brushes and sponges should be
put into a trash can and not carried into the
Cold Zone. O
2
material should remain in the
Decon Sector.
16. The patient should be taken to the Triage
Officer for rapid assessment and assignment
to area in the Treatment Sector.
Patients with Special Needs
Glasses/Contact Lenses
1. Patients with glasses should keep them if they
cannot see without them. They must be washed
and rinsed thoroughly during the decon process
before being worn. Otherwise, the glasses
should be placed in the valuables portion of
the clothing bag.
2. Contact lenses should be removed and placed
in the valuables portion of the clothing bag.
Canes/Walkers
1. Patients who use walking assist devices may
retain them, but the device must be washed with
soap and water during the decon process before
being allowed into the Treatment Sector.
