Public perceptions of emergency decontamination: Effects of intervention type and responder management strategy during a focus group study.

ABSTRACT: In the event of an incident involving the release of a hazardous chemical, first responders may decide to initiate emergency decontamination in order to remove any contaminant from affected casualties. Recent initiatives such as the UK Home Office-led Initial Operational Response Programme have introduced new evidence-based decontamination protocols that reduce the time taken to initiate the decontamination process, including an increased emphasis on rapidly removing contaminated clothing (disrobe), and the use of improvised dry decontamination methods. The current study used a series of focus groups to examine public perceptions of different decontamination interventions and responder management strategies. Results revealed that a decontamination shower was perceived to be more effective

SUBMITTER: Carter H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5898741 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature