DPT 8.0
Decontamination
•Decontamination removes harmful substances
•Hospital preparedness for decontamination
•Decon of casualties                                                  arriving at the                                                  healthcare facility
•Vapor exposure
–Liquid exposure
–Mass casualty incident
DECONTAMINATION

Decontamination is the physical process of removing harmful substances from personnel, equipment, and supplies.  It should be performed whenever there is known or suspected contamination with a hazardous substance.  Persons or equipment may become contaminated by contacting aerosols, solids or liquids from a contaminated source.  Limiting the spread of contamination into the hospital is accomplished by preventing the contaminated individuals from entering the medical facility.  In addition, hospitals must ensure that healthcare personnel wear personal protective equipment, and that the institution has the capacity to perform decontamination, with a plan for managing the resulting wastes and runoff.
Caregivers who do not have PPE should not attempt to treat undecontaminated casualties.  Caregivers or decon personnel with PPE should minimize direct contact with casualties who have not been decontaminated.  Before working on the next potentially contaminated casualty, caregivers should perform a quick wash-down of areas that were in contact with the previous victim.  This will prevent “cross contamination,” the transfer of hazardous substances from one casualty to another.

The most easily performed method of decontamination is a combination of clothing removal (including personal items), and showering with large quantities of high-flow, low-pressure water.  Merely removing the victim’s clothing will eliminate about 80% of the contamination. Gently scrubbing the body surface with soap and a soft brush helps to remove fat-soluble chemicals and solid materials remaining on the skin.