Follow these steps if decon is needed
Patients with chemical exposure "should be quarantined from the rest of the department, medically stabilized, and decontaminated," says Theresa Patrick, RN, BSN, clinical resource nurse for the ED at University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill. Patrick gives these tips:
- Wear chemical-resistant protective equipment.
- Save clothing for law enforcement.
- Consider the route of exposure.
If there was gas or vapor exposure only and the patient doesn't have skin or eye symptoms, decontamination is a priority, says Patrick. If there was liquid exposure, or the patient has skin symptoms, and they haven't showered or changed clothing, they should be grossly decontaminated.
- For eye exposure, flush the eyes until a pH level of 7 to 7.5 is reached. Be sure to use tetracaine prior to eye irrigation.
- Assess the patient's airway.
If inhalation exposure is a possibility, Patrick adds that careful assessment of the patient's airway is needed to monitor for a life-threatening condition. "Aggressive treatment of bronchospasm and wheezing is needed with bronchodilators," she says.
Consider the severity and type of symptoms. Determine whether it is a local reaction on the skin, inhaled with respiratory symptoms, or ingested with symptoms, says Cindy Vanek, MS, RN, director of emergency and critical care services at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, FL. "If the patient walked into and contaminated the ED, then a quick decision must be made to shut down that area or the full ED, depending on the layout," she says.
Patients with chemical exposure "should be quarantined from the rest of the department, medically stabilized, and decontaminated," says Theresa Patrick, RN, BSN, clinical resource nurse for the ED at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Patrick gives these tips:You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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