American Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume 26, Issue 1 , Pages 71-80, January 2008

Health care facility-based decontamination of victims exposed to chemical, biological, and radiological materials☆

  • Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP

      Affiliations

    • Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA
    • ,
  • Connie J. Boatright, MSN, RN

      Affiliations

    • Indiana Primary Health Care Association, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
    • ,
  • John A. Hancock, MS, CSP

      Affiliations

    • Office of Occupational Safety and Health, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420, USA
    • ,
  • Frank J. Denny

      Affiliations

    • Office of Occupational Safety and Health, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420, USA
    • ,
  • David S. Teeter, PharmD, RPh

      Affiliations

    • Emergency Management Strategic Healthcare Group, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
    • ,
  • Christopher A. Kahn, MD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 714 456 5239; fax: +1 714 456 5390.
    • ,
  • Carl H. Schultz, MD, FACEP

      Affiliations

    • Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA

Received 30 November 2006; received in revised form 13 June 2007; accepted 18 July 2007.

Abstract 

Since the US terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, concern regarding use of chemical, biological, or radiological weapons is heightened. Many victims of such an attack would present directly to health care facilities without first undergoing field decontamination. This article reviews basic tenets and recommendations for health care facility–based decontamination, including regulatory concerns, types of contaminants, comprehensive decontamination procedures (including crowd control, triage, removal of contaminated garments, cleaning of body contaminants, and management of contaminated materials and equipment), and a discussion of methods to achieve preparedness.

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☆ Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the view of the Department of Veterans Affairs or of the United States Government.

PII: S0735-6757(07)00428-7

doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2007.07.004

American Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume 26, Issue 1 , Pages 71-80, January 2008

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