June 03, 2008 Email Print Talk BackRegisterBookmarkWhat's This

Better biochem medical response

Preparedness for a bio or chemical attack requires us to be aware of all of the options, to know where to access rapid laboratory and pharmacy response and, most important, to be medically creative. Here is one suggestion for rethinking the response to a biological or chemical disaster and better serving your patients.

Clinical personnel should not have the primary responsibility for dermal decontamination.

Clinicians aren’t specifically trained in this activity, which is extremely time-consuming and of questionable effectiveness for many agents.

Hospitals and other healthcare entities should consider contracting with private hazmat response companies that can perform mass decon safely, expediently and effectively. These companies usually decontaminate inanimate objects in factories and commercial laboratories and can be adapted to provide such services for human decon.

They can also assist in field identification of toxic agents.

For help locating a hazmat response contractor, contact a nearby large university or industrial site for their recommendations. Once a response contract has been arranged, drills should be undertaken with this new partner.

Jerrold B. Leikin, M.D., FACEP is director of medical toxicology at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare-OMEGA, Glenview, Ill. and associate director of the Toxikon Consortium at Cook County Hospital, Chicago.

Stephen Vogel, M.D. is medical director of Evanston Northwestern Healthcare-OMEGA, Glenview, Ill.