Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
f. Four buckets for each hose bib within range
of the proposed decontamination area.
g. Four scrub brushes for each hose bib
within range of the decontamination area.
h. Duct tape, flashlights, permanent markers,
soap, large trash cans, red biohazard bags,
and towels.
i. One blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, and
set of trauma scissors per litter decontam-
ination station.
j. Towels and redress kits.
k. Two Geiger counters per facility (Refer-
ence “
Disaster Plan - Annex R
”).
l. Two Bull horns per facility.
m. Polaroid camera with film or digital
camera for later use in identification of
moribund patients.
n. A locked, centrally located storage mech-
anism (cart, closet, etc.) for storage of the
aforementioned items.
organic/HEPA filter cartridges affixed to a
battery powered unit worn by the decon team
personnel on a belt around their waist. It is
worn as a hood placed over the head, with
the inner sleeve tucked into the chemical
protective clothing suit.
Air Purifying Respirator (APR): This provides
air that is filtered through organic/HEPA
filter cartridges dependent on the nega-
tive inspiration created by the work of
breathing. This is worn as a full-face mask
with the cartridges affixed to the mask.
(caution: These respiratory protective equip-
ment contain LATEX products and are not
to be worn by LATEX-allergic individuals).
Level C chemical protective clothing is contained
in the Tri-con PPE packs that include:
2 layers of gloves,
chemical resistant suit (check for appropriate
sizing), and
chemical resistant boots.
Note
: Some Tri-Con PPE packs will also contain
an APR mask. Consult with the ED physician
in charge with regards to selection of APR or
PAPR. Persons needing to use glasses, or those
with beards or full moustaches, are NOT to use
a face mask device.
A Decon team member should double check to
assure all personnel have donned their PPE prop-
erly. Special attention should be paid to proper
seal of mask/face and proper occlusion at wrists
and ankles. Particular attention must be made to
ensure all “pull tabs” are removed from respira-
tory cartridge filters prior to use.
Immediately evaluate the available information
and confirm/re-confirm (as more information
becomes available) that your key
operational
planning assumptions for Level C PPE are valid:
Incident location (including area of significant
downwind contamination) does not include your
facility.
Agent characteristics: Known or suspected agent
does not require higher level of PPE (example:
high-grade plutonium or other very rare agents).
Event characteristics: Your facility is not being
“overrun” by casualties.
Included in this Annex is a schematic diagram
for use in establishing a Mass Decontamination
procedure that details the process flow of patients.
This should be adapted to each individual health-
care facility.
Level C Personal Protective Equipment
Decon team preparation
1. Obtain appropriate personal protective equip-
ment (PPE) as recommended by ED charge
physician.
2. A minimum of four persons should done PPE.
3. Decon team personnel should undergo pre-
entry medical monitoring as soon as possible.
Only personnel meeting inclusion criteria, and
having met the required training standards will
be allowed to dress in PPE.
4. The Inova Health System has elected to use
Level C respiratory protection and chem-
ical protective clothing as the highest level
of protection available. Level C respiratory
protection is comprised of:
Powered Air Purifying Respirator
(PAPR):
This provides air
that
is drawn through
