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Posted By Tracey Docking
We're updating our emergency procedures on this, albeit a highly unlikely event, but I can't find any helpful information on how to deal with "victim" and "non victims" until the emergency services arrive except to separate them - even on metropolitan police website. Any ideas plese folks?
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Posted By Charles Robinson
medscape have several articals on the above the address of a full artical, that may be of interest and the introduction is listed below you will need to register for full access
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/431312_print
Common Chemical Agent Threats
Randall R. Mccafferty, M.D., Peter J. Lennarson, M.D.
Neurosurg Focus 12(3), 2002. © 2002 American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
The events of September 11, 2001, highlight the fact that we live in precarious times. National and global awareness of the resolve and capabilities of terrorists has increased. The possibility that the civilian neurosurgeon may confront a scenario involving the use of chemical warfare agents has heightened. The information reported in this paper serves as a primer on the recognition, decontamination, and treatment of trauma patients exposed to chemical warfare agents.
Introduction
Prior to World War I, chemical agents were considered but were infrequently used or ineffective products of warfare. The Chinese used arsenical smokes as early as 1000 B.C. The Spartans used noxious smokes during the Peloponnesian War. During the American Civil War, numerous proposals for the use of chlorine, sulfur, chloroform, and hydrochloric and sulfuric acids were developed; however, most proposals were likely never acted upon.
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Posted By Shane Johnston
If you work in an environment where NBC threats are a real risk (MoD, Nuclear, Airports etc), then I suggest you obtain advice from your emergency services on what they would want you to do. I expect it will be to segregate contaminated / non-contaminated personnel, turn off ventilation if at no risk etc.
As a proactive measure you should handle mail etc, in an area, that if the risk is realised, the spread of contamination will be limited. Train people in what to do, don't open suspect letters, don't take them down the corridor to show someone else, open and handle post over a black cloth to enable contamination to be observed quickly etc.
If the risk is very remote ... there ends your risk assessment and you can concentrate on more probable risks.
Shane
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Posted By John Webster
HSE's guidance is at http://www.hse.gov.uk/hthdir/noframes/anthrax.htm
Beyond that, once people are contaminated with CBRN (Chemical, biological, nuclear, radiological) agents (referred to as NBC - nuclear, biological, chemical - by the military), there is really little which can be done for them until the emergency services arrive, no matter how serious their injuries. Anybody rendering assistance must also be treated as a contaminated casualty.
They need to be directed to a separate area away from the initial release of substance, and provided with washing facilities or buckets of soapy water and sponges to start decontaminating themselves and fellow victims.
Any area through which they have passed must also be sealed off as a contaminated area.
Depending upon the scale of the incident, the emergency services will deploy mobile decontamination facilities through which all potentially contaminated people will have to pass before being taken to hospital.
It is vitally important that nobody is taken or allowed to take themselves directly to hospital, as this could risk closure of part of the hospital and isolation of staff just at a time when their services are most needed.
Hope this helps
John
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Posted By John Murgatroyd
In a real situation, nobody goes anywhere until the agent released is identified.
If that means some die, or those trying to get away get shot, then that's what happens.
If a viral agent is deployed the only way to render the area safe and avoid further spread may be to isolate that area and destroy everything and everyone inside it.
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