NCJ Number
194764
Date Published
September 2001
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This CD-ROM provides emergency medical services (EMS) personnel and hospital emergency departments (EDs) with guidance to plan for and respond to incidents that involve hazardous materials.
Abstract
These guidelines inform emergency personnel on how to appropriately decontaminate, treat, and recommend follow-up care to exposed persons, as well as measures to protect themselves. The focus on Volume I is on EMS management of contaminated patients. Specifically, this volume discusses the role of EMS, pre-hospital response, State and Federal emergency agencies, and hazard analysis. EMS response is also discussed, including hazard recognition, principles of toxicology, response protection, and site control. Response and patient management includes the assessment, decontamination, and initial treatment of the patient. Also discussed is critical incident stress management. Volume II describes the system approach to planning on the part of hospital EDs. It includes the role of the hospital, the spectrum of hazardous materials, incidents, hazard recognition, personnel protection and safety, and communication. Volume III describes specific protocols for 40 chemicals. Each chemical protocol includes a description, health effects, pre-hospital management, emergency department management, and patient information sheet. Some of the chemicals described are ammonia, benzene, chlorine, gasoline, mercury, phenol, toluene, and xylene. The CD-ROM describes a scenario featuring two hazardous material incidents and the appropriate responses of the fire department, EMS, and hospital personnel. 7 appendixes, glossary, bibliography