[In-hospital management of victims of chemical weapons of mass destruction].
Emergency situations caused by chemical weapons of mass destruction add a new dimension of risk to those handling and treating casualties. The fundamental difference between a hazardous materials incident and conventional emergencies is the potential for risk from contamination to health care professionals, patients, equipment and facilities of the Emergency Department. Accurate and specific guidance is needed to describe the procedures to be followed by emergency medical personnel to safely care for a patient, as well as to protect equipment and people. This review is designed to familiarize readers with the concepts, terminology and key operational considerations that affect the in-hospital management of incidents by chemical weapons.
Barelli
Alessandro
A
Centro Antiveleni, Servizio di Tossicologia Clinica, Istituto di Anestesiologia e Rianimazione, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00161 Rome, Italy. a.barelli@mclink.it
Gargano
Flavio
F
Proietti
Rodolfo
R
D019090:Case Management; D002618:Chemical Warfare; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003666:Decontamination; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004630:Emergencies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006282:Health Personnel; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D010200:Panic; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011482:Protective Devices; D012306:Risk; D012449:Safety; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014218:Triage; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents