NCJ Number
193194
Date Published
1997
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This booklet reviews hospitals and community emergency response.
Abstract
Health care workers dealing with emergencies may be exposed to chemical, biological, physical, or radioactive hazards. Of special concern is arrival at the hospital of contaminated patients who require triage or definitive treatment following a major incident. In many localities, hospitals have not been solidly integrated into the community disaster response system and may not be prepared to safely treat multiple casualties resulting from an incident involving hazardous substances. Increasing awareness of the need to protect health care workers and understanding the principal considerations in emergency response planning will help reduce the risk of health care worker exposure to hazardous substances. The section on protecting workers from hazardous materials includes a short list of relevant legal requirements. The booklet includes a discussion of the elements that should be addressed in a hospital emergency response plan. It also reviews training employees and documenting the training, performing emergency drills, defining personnel roles, responding to emergencies, selecting respirators and personal protective equipment, decontaminating patients, preparing to receive victims, and avoiding cross-contamination. Resources, references, notes