Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The overall effectiveness of the operations of
the ACC depend on the ability of staff members to
function within the organizational guidelines. Staff
members should receive some sort of training that
addresses the following [6]:
isolated are away from the patient treatment area
should be available so the staff can rest and debrief
away from patients and visitors. Staff should also
have access to separate toilet and shower facilities.
It is also recommended that staff have the ability
to address fears related to potential health risks,
provisions for protection from exposure and daily
incident updates.
In large-scale situations with high mortali-
ties, an ACC may be utilized as a temporary
morgue in accordance with established federal
guidelines. The temporary morgue would provide
initial processing of the remains until they can be
transferred to an appropriate facility. Death notifi-
cation would be done through official channels.
Hospice care with emphasis on symptom
management and pain control may become a reality
in a bioterrorist incident. Adequate supplies of pain
medicine and protocols for its use must be an avail-
able component of emergency medical services
provided at the ACC. Chaplains and social workers
would be an essential part of an ACC and should
be available around the clock to provide emotional,
spiritual and supportive care.
An incident involving exposure to a biolog-
ical or chemical agent would have a profound
effect psychologically as well as physically on
everyone involved. Clinicians as well as patients
will respond to such an event and experience
reactions of an acute stress disorder. Initially, the
survivor will respond to the disaster and protect
their own life as well as those around them.
This immediate response is a stunned reaction
with anxiety or confusion. This may subside into
numbness, grief, despair, nightmares, or change in
eating or sleeping habits. Left untreated, they may
progress to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Failure to identify those at risk for acute stress
disorder may result in a complicated and prolonged
recovery. Being aware of potential symptoms and
early referral for follow-up services may make a
difference in prevention of PTSD [7].
mission of the ACC
•
site orientation
•
standard operating procedures
•
responsibilities of each member of the ACC
•
ICS and reporting structure
•
personal protective measures including infec-
tion control, handling and disposal of infectious
waste, agent-specific transmission prevention
measures, etc.
•
•
information on the
agent
and treatment
modalities
•
response to outside requests for information
•
patient confidentiality
•
patient records and documentation
Medical equipment and supplies should be prede-
termined and cached for emergency use. If prior
stockpiling is not possible, emergency planners
must determine mechanisms for rapid acquisition
of needed supplies. Necessary pharmacological and
therapeutic drugs must be readily available to the
ACC as well as a mechanism for distribution to
hospitals and NEHCs. Communities are expected to
be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours, so law enforce-
ment officials may be an available resource for
pick-up and delivery following a biological attack.
Adequate procedures for environmental health
and sanitation must be adhered to and include
approved germicidial cleaning agents. Patient linen
should be handled in accordance with standard
universal precautions if not disposable and contami-
nated waste should be sorted and discarded in accor-
dance with regulations. Universal precautions must
be maintained for blood and body fluid exposure.
Certain diseases or syndromes may require addi-
tional precautions to prevent further transmission.
Special attention must be paid to vulnerable
populations such as children, the elderly and the
immunocompromised. Healthcare providers will
also have unique needs during these times. An
14.4 Summary
Bioterrorism attacks and threats are a reality
in today's world. Nurses, especially those who
