Challenges During a Chlorine Gas Emergency Response
| Autor: | Sallyann M Coleman King, Maureen F. Orr, Bryan E. Christensen, Perri Zeitz Ruckart, Candis Hunter, Mary Anne Duncan |
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| Rok vydání: | 2016 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Male Emergency Medical Services medicine.medical_specialty Civil defense Poison control Suicide prevention Article Poultry Occupational safety and health 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine medicine Emergency medical services Accidents Occupational Animals Food Industry Humans 030212 general & internal medicine Emergency management business.industry Communication Public health Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health Civil Defense 030208 emergency & critical care medicine Middle Aged medicine.disease United States Female Gases Medical emergency Chlorine business Health department |
| Zdroj: | Disaster Med Public Health Prep |
| ISSN: | 1938-744X 1935-7893 |
| Popis: | ObjectiveA chlorine gas release occurred at a poultry processing plant as a result of an accidental mixing of sodium hypochlorite and an acidic antimicrobial treatment. We evaluated the public health and emergency medical services response and developed and disseminated public health recommendations to limit the impact of future incidents.MethodsWe conducted key informant interviews with the state health department; local fire, emergency medical services, and police departments; county emergency management; and representatives from area hospitals to understand the response mechanisms employed for this incident.ResultsAfter being exposed to an estimated 40-pound chlorine gas release, 170 workers were triaged on the scene and sent to 5 area hospitals. Each hospital redistributed staff or called in extra staff (eg, physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists) in response to the event. Interviews with hospital staff emphasized the need for improved communication with responders at the scene of a chemical incident.ConclusionsWhile responding, hospitals handled the patient surge without outside assistance because of effective planning, training, and drilling. The investigation highlighted that greater interagency communication can play an important role in ensuring that chemical incident patients are managed and treated in a timely manner. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:553–556) |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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