Are you ready for an ethylene oxide spill?
Development of an EtO spill plan such as that described here is required by OSHA. Enactment of the plan in a disaster drill enables the SPD department, hospital and local agencies to test the plan before an emergency arises. The SPD and other hospital staff members felt that their involvement in this "live" inservice was a great learning experience. Staff members also felt that they had a better understanding of the symptoms of EtO exposure since they had to act them out. In preparing an EtO spill plan, make certain that the local fire department is involved. To allow for prompt response, give them hospital tours and floor plans so they know how to reach your department and where the EtO is located. Also provide them with a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet for EtO. With the cooperation of the local and hospital staffs, this spill plan is ready to implement because it was tested and proved to work. Is your hospital ready for an EtO spill?
D002495:Central Supply, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004189:Disaster Planning; D005027:Ethylene Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006745:Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499; D009515:New Jersey; D014481:United States; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration