Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
c. Decontaminate victims before care
i. Hasty Decon
=
remove clothing, rinse
thoroughly with water
(this removes
85-95% of contaminates)
ii. Do NOT TRANSPORT contaminated
victims
iii. Do NOT TRANSPORT contaminated
victim belongings/clothing
III. Wash your hands with soap and water as soon
as possible. Do not use bleach or other disin-
fectant on your skin.
IV. Remove heavily contaminated clothing as
soon as possible and place in a plastic bag, or
some container that can be sealed. DO NOT
Transport this with you.
V. Shower with soap and water as soon as
possible.
VI. List all people who were in the room or area
when the suspicious spill was recognized.
Give this list to both law enforcement and
public health authorities.
Biological Agents
Suspicious Package/Letter
I. Do not shake or empty the contents of any
suspicious package or letter [6].
II. Have the victim place the envelope or
package in a plastic bag or some other type
of container to prevent leakage of contents.
a. The reason for having the victim move
the envelope or package is they are
already contaminated. Remember to keep
contamination to as
Question of Room Contamination by
Aerosolization
(Examples include, small device triggered, warning
that air handling system is contaminated or warning
that a biological agent is released in a public space.)
few people
as
I. Have the victims turn off local fans or venti-
lation units in the area.
II. Have the victims LEAVE the area immediately
III. Close the door or section off the area to
prevent others from entering.
IV. Have the victims shut down the air handling
system for the building if possible.
V. List all people who were in the room or area.
Give this list to both law enforcement and
public health authorities.
possible.
III. If you do not have a container, then cover
the envelope or package with anything (e.g.,
clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not
remove this cover.
IV. Leave the room and close the door and
windows, or section off the area to prevent
others from entering. (i.e., keep others away).
V. Wash your hands with soap and water to
prevent spreading any powder to your face
VI. List all people who were in the room or
area when the suspicious letter/package was
recognized. Give this list to both law enforce-
ment and public health authorities.
Management
Precise diagnosis of biologic agent casualties is
likely to be difficult [7]. Signs and symptoms of
biological agent infection are common to many
diseases. The treatment required for biological
weapons casualties will not differ in basic prin-
ciple from that in patients suffering from the same
disease incurred by natural means.
Envelope with powder, Powder Spills out
onto Surface
I. Do NOT try to clean up the powder. Cover the
spilled contents immediately with anything
(clothing, trashcan, paper). Do not remove
the cover.
II. Leave the room and close the door and
windows, or section off the area to prevent
others from entering (keep others away).
I. Primary Contamination—Dermal exposure
from a suspected biological weapons attack
should be managed by decontamination
at
the earliest opportunity
and
before treat-
ment and transportation starts
. Exposed
