On a recent training day, I visited a US airforce base. We were shown their
mobile decontamination unit which I have to say was incredibly impressive. What
was also impressive was how well the staff, (who were pharmacists and other
non specialist staff) could run the unit. They could assemble it in a matter
of minutes. It could also go out to a scene. The cost, I think, was about 200,000
pounds. Maybe something like this could be shared between a number of geographically
close hospitals. As for staffing, ah well.
Adrian Boyle
>At 09:54 20/09/00 +0100, you wrote:
>>Thanks to the modernisation fund I now have a large "decontamination room"
>>in my department. This was a nice office and a store but is now a part
>>tiled space with a shower in one corner, drains running along the wall
>>with the showers and the usual oxygen/suction etc. in the opposite
>>corner. We have never in my experience had a chemically contaminated
>>casualty needing that level of facility but no matter we are prepared. We
>>have the fancy suits in a box but no-one knows how to put them on yet. My
>>question to the group is what do we put in the room to decontaminate
>>people with? A mop & bucket? How do we divide the space between
>>contaminated and clean? Do we store clean gowns in the room?
>>
>>C C Scott
>>A&E Consultant, Southport
>
>Lets hope you room doesn't suffer the fate of most decontamination rooms
>and become either the staff smoking room or the staff mountain bike parking
>room.
>Seriously though, I would have a word with your local fire and rescue lot
>and see what kind of chemical hazards they come across locally and prepare
>accordingly. They may be able to help with training to put on suits etc.
>I would have thought that your decontamination room is neither classed as
>contaminated or clean. Assuming you have two doors then folk go in there
>contaminated and come out clean. You really need an ante-room at either
>door I suppose for new gowns etc.
>
>Ian Hepworth
>Staff Nurse,
>MIU, Malton, N. Yorks
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