Medical response in a nuclear or radiological emergency

© SDIS 31 MEDICAL RESPONSE IN NUCLEAR OR RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY 91 Practical advice for preparing personnel dressing and undressing Prior training, drills and regular practice sessions are necessary. • Before the casualty arrives: give a brief reminder of the technique. • Organise the dressing place: prefer spacious rooms. • Call upon people with experience in the procedure to supervise this stage. For example: “Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear” (CBRN) advisors, members of the CBRN mission for significant radiation protection events, Radiation Protection Experts (RPE). • Use stockinette to protect hair (adapt the size to suit the length of hair) or use a surgical cap or the hood of a coverall. • Identify the medical personnel using electrician’s insulating tape in the identification colours of the hospital gowns. • Prepare individual kits for the medical personnel comprising the following PPE: - bags for personal effects: pager, telephone, - stockinette for hair or surgical cap or coverall hood, - overboots, - gloves, - non-woven garment type 5-6, - second pair of gloves, - identification, - mask. • Equip the medical personnel with dosimeters. SEE SHEET 16 ACTION TO TAKE IN A 1ST LINE HEALTHCARE FACILITY Protecting the healthcare facility personnel 30 SHEET IN PRACTICE Self-undressing technique (photos taken during a practical intervention training session in the VAA in non-woven garment type 5-6) Consider supervision in pairs (behind a glass window for example). To avoid transfer of contamination: • Protect the undressing zone with vinyl sheet. • Undress standing over a 350-litre bin bag in which the waste materials will be collected (the bag will be closed by the following person who is still dressed). • Open the zip completely. • Remove the coverall hood, turning it inside out while keeping the hands on the outside. • Free the shoulders (always keep the hands on the outside of the coverall). • Take the fingers out of the gloves. • Peel down the coverall (turning it inside out), keeping outer surface against outer surface to avoid dispersing any contamination (the glover remain attached). • Tie the sleeves in front of the waist. • Step out of the coverall, touching its interior surface only. • Lastly, remove the mask. • Read the active dosimeter (readings recorded with the healthcare facility’s occupational medicine service).

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