Secondary contamination of ED personnel from hazardous materials events, 1995-2001.
Hazardous materials (hazmat) events pose a health threat not only for those individuals in the immediate vicinity of the release (ie, members of the general public, on-site first responders, employees), but also for ED personnel (ie, physicians and nurses) treating the chemically contaminated victims arriving at the hospital. Secondary contamination injuries to ED personnel result when exposed victims enter the ED without being properly decontaminated. Data from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance System were used to conduct a retrospective analysis on hazmat events occurring in 16 states from 1995 through 2001 that involved secondary injury to ED personnel. Six events were identified in which 15 ED personnel were secondarily injured while treating contaminated victims. The predominant injuries sustained were respiratory and eye irritation. Proper victim decontamination procedures, good field-to-hospital communication, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) use can help prevent ED personnel injuries and contamination of the ED.
Horton
D Kevin
DK
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Division of Health Studies/Epidemidogy and Surveillance Branch, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-31, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. dhorton@cdc.gov
Berkowitz
Zahava
Z
Kaye
Wendy E
WE
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002713:Chlorine / Q000009:adverse effects; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D008294:Malathion / Q000009:adverse effects; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012304:Riot Control Agents, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D009763:o-Chlorobenzylidenemalonitrile / Q000009:adverse effects
D015386:Hazardous Substances; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007306:Insecticides; D012304:Riot Control Agents, Chemical; D009763:o-Chlorobenzylidenemalonitrile; D008694:Methamphetamine; D002713:Chlorine; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid; D008294:Malathion