Use of pepper spray can threaten clinicians
November 1, 1996 2 minutes read
Use of pepper spray can threaten clinicians
As the use of pepper spray becomes more common among law enforcement officers to subdue people, hospital workers encounter the irritant more frequently. Workers at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, WI, encountered the pepper spray so frequently that the hospital developed a policy for how to handle it.
The sprays are used to subdue violent suspects or mentally disturbed people. The liquid is derived from a capsaicin, the ingredient in hot peppers that makes them burn. When sprayed into the person’s face, it can be instantly debilitating.
The chemical remains active for about 45 minutes, so touching the victim during that time and then touching your own skin can transfer the pepper spray and cause burning. In addition to subjecting clinical staff to the pain, the spray may render a nurse or doctor unable to provide care.
To reduce risk to staff and other patients, St. Agnes developed a policy that explains how pepper spray is used and reminds employees that police may spray it in the hospital if necessary. (The hospital’s own security staff do not use a pepper spray.) The policy provides information on how to treat those exposed to the spray, and also how to clean a hospital area that may contain pepper spray.
Since the pepper spray is in common use, it is reasonable to believe the hospital has an obligation to protect people from exposure, says Cathie Aschenbrenner, RN, director of risk management.
This is some of the information provided by the policy:
• The product should be allowed to settle in the room. It will not settle if you try to ventilate the room. Housekeeping staff should not attempt to clean the room until the spray has settled.
• The spray can be cleaned up with an all-purpose cleaner and water.
• Contaminated linens and other items should be bagged and labeled as contaminated with pepper spray.
• Cleaning personnel should use protective long gloves and wear scrubs. The scrubs and gloves should be discarded in a labeled bag, and the workers should wash thoroughly.
• The area can be re-entered after cleaning. If anyone experiences irritation, the room should be vacated until any residual spray loses potency.
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