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Code "D" - Haz-Mat (External)

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PURPOSE:
To provide for the emergency care of one or more casualties as a result of exposure to a hazardous material outside the hospital facility.

PLAN:
Whoever receives notification of a hazardous material spill occurring outside the hospital will transfer the call to the following: ED Director, Clinical Supervisor, ED Charge Nurse or ED Physician for the following information to be obtained:

The estimated number of casualties

Type of hazardous material exposure

The location

Estimated time of arrival

Name and phone number of informant

Informant verified

If a vehicle carrying chemicals is involved, ask personnel at the scene to check vehicle for chemical number on side or back of vehicle.

Refer to Emergency Response Guide Book from the Department of Motor Vehicles for treatment information related to that chemical number (beside EMS radio).

The Emergency Department should notify the Environment of Care Director.

MULTIPLE CASUALTIES PROCEDURE:
If more than one victim is involved or if additional personnel may be needed to assist with chemical exposure from the victim; The ED Director, Clinical Supervisor, ED Charge Nurse or ED Physician will confirm the disaster call and initiate the disaster alert if deemed necessary. They will page the following hospital wide:

“Code ‘D'–external – Haz-Mat”   (Announced three times)

The individual who paged the Code will then contact the Administrator on-call and ED Director (if not in ED).
Administrator on-call (after hours/weekends) will call the other Administrators.

The Hazardous Material Spill will then be carried out under the Disaster Plan – External policy.

Environmental Services will be in charge of coordinating chemical cleanup with proper assistance from outside agencies.

Decontamination measures should be implemented as appropriate utilizing the decontamination shower in the ED or decontamination tent set-up. (Please refer to the Emergency Department Policy and Procedure Manual: Decontamination Shower and/or the Emergency Management Manual: ED Decontamination Tent).

ONE OR MORE CASUALTIES:
The Emergency Department will notify the Environment of Care Director.

The Emergency Department will prepare the decontamination shower room.  Please refer to the Emergency Department Policy and Procedure Manual: Decontamination Shower and/or set up the Decontamination Tent. Please refer to the Emergency Management Manual: ED Decontamination Tent.

Prior to the arrival of patient(s), ED personnel must don their Personal Protective Equipment.

Decontamination should start prior to administering medical treatment, and should start with cleansing areas of highest exposure first. Pay special attention to hair parts, body orifices, and body folds. If a wound is involved, prepare and cover wound with self-adhering disposable surgical drape. If transported to shower, place large piece of plastic on stretcher, under sheet, wrap over patient and transfer to shower. Cleanse surfaces of skin.  Remove wound covering and irrigate wound.

US Patent Numbers 7,720,998 B2, 7,836,207