Decontamination

New Video Shows Clinicians How To Treat Children Exposed to Chemicals Used in Bioterrorist Attacks

December 6, 2005:   Today, the Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) released The Decontamination of Children: Preparedness and Response for Hospital Emergency Departments, a 27-minute video that trains emergency responders and hospital emergency department staff to decontaminate children after being exposed to hazardous chemicals during a bioterrorist attack or other disaster.

This video provides a step-by-step demonstration of the decontamination process in real time and trains clinicians about the nuances of treating infants and children, who require special attention during decontamination procedures. For example, children may be frightened not only by the emergency situation itself, but also may be afraid to undergo decontamination without their parents; children also take longer to go through the decontamination process than adults.

"This video provides a valuable and straightforward overview for first responders and hospital emergency personnel on decontaminating infants, children, and parents who have been exposed to dangerous chemical agents," said AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D. "I hope this will be a valuable tool for those taking care of children, who will be one of our most vulnerable populations during a bioterrorist attack or other emergency."

Produced for AHRQ's Bioterrorism Preparedness Research Program by Michael Shannon, M.D., M.P.H., Chief of the Division of Emergency Medicine at Children's Hospital, Boston, the video outlines key differences between decontaminating children and adults; provides an overview for constructing portable and permanent decontamination showers and designating hot and cold zones; and provides steps to establishing and maintaining pediatric decontamination capacity in a hospital emergency department.

• View a short clip from "The Decontamination of Children"
• Order a free, single copy of the video (DVD or VHS format) by email or by calling 1-800-358-9295

AHRQ has funded more than 50 emergency preparedness-related studies, workshops, and conferences to help hospitals and health care systems prepare for medical emergencies. Click here for more information about these projects. 

Hospitals may be confronted with patients that have been compromised by residual biological spores, chemical and/or radioactive effects from natural or man-made disasters. Facilitating safe and efficient decontamination of these patients will take place as required.

• Decon Medical Monitoring Form
• HazMat Inventory Sheet
• Sample Respiratory Protection Program 

The intent of the attached tool is to provide hospitals with planning guidance for managing the waste water and runoff generated by decontamination of victims presenting to the facility for emergency care and treatment.

• Water Containment and Run Off during Decon Operations - EMSA 2003

This document provides recommendations for protecting healthcare providers and managing patients in the event of a hazardous materials exposure. Content was compiled through nationally recognized, current practice standards and formatted into user-friendly materials.

In addition, compliance with regulatory agencies such as the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal-OSHA), State of California Water Resources Control Board and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) were considered. These recommendations, developed for hospitals by hospital experts, will be revised and updated as indicated by practice or need.

• Patient Decontamination Recommendations for Hospitals