Facilities for chemical decontamination in accident and emergency departments in the United Kingdom.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To audit the facilities for chemical decontamination, with special reference to cyanide poisoning, in all major accident and emergency departments in the UK. METHOD:A simple postal questionnaire was used to audit planning, premises, equipment, protection for staff, and stocks of specific antidotes to cyanide poisoning. RESULTS:227 questionnaires from 261 departments (87%) were returned and used in the survey. Of the 227 departments who responded, 151 (66%) had a written plan; 168 (74%) departments had premises for decontamination; 55 (24%) were judged to have satisfactory premises; 146 (64%) departments had a shower or hose for decontamination; 60 (26%) departments had a decontamination trolley suitable for "stretcher" patients; 203 (89%) had some protective equipment for staff b

SUBMITTER: George G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1725937 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature