Parkland’s decon team stands ready to protect patients, staff, facilities
Exposure, contamination from hazardous materials can happen in an instant
A recent episode of the CBS television series “Code Black” depicted what can happen to an emergency room when patients and staff are contaminated with a hazardous material. In real life, it can shut down a facility and, in rare instances, be fatal. In 1995, a sarin attack in Tokyo wreaked havoc on hospitals that had no decontamination units and workers did not don personal protective equipment (PPE). As a result, 475 hospital workers were surveyed, more than 100 were symptomatic and one was admitted.
Since then The Joint Commission and other regulatory agencies have called for hospitals and health systems to have a decontamination unit to prevent exposure to and contamination from biological, chemical and radiologic agents. At Parkland Memorial Hospital the Disaster Management staff is responsible for overseeing decontamination activities, including training team members who may be called into service at a moment’s notice.
“Although there are terrorist-type activities that can lead to exposure to or contamination from hazardous materials, it’s more likely to be the result of a natural disaster or accident,” said David McCarty, one of Parkland’s Emergency Management Officers. “A tornado or a flood could wipe out a chemical plant, or an accident at home could result in a dangerous situation.”
McCarty cited household cleaning items such as ammonia and bleach that when used separately pose no threat, but when combined could give off chlorine gas, which can be fatal. He stressed the importance of reading labels to ensure the safe use of all products. “And, just because it may say it’s ‘all natural’ doesn’t mean it couldn’t be harmful if used incorrectly.”
Parkland, like other hospitals, receives a notification from first responders on the scene who alert them when a patient may have been exposed to hazardous materials. Patients may be decontaminated in the field or at the hospital. Located near Parkland’s emergency department, but not within it, is a room where fewer than 10 patients can have their clothes removed and be thoroughly scrubbed with soap and water before receiving hospital-issued gowns and taken to the ER.
Should an event take place where more than 10 people have been exposed or contaminated, Parkland is equipped with an exterior decontamination unit complete with privacy curtains and running water where patients can be washed. Manning those areas are members of Parkland’s decontamination team.
There are approximately 100 staff members from throughout the system who have received classroom and hands-on training and respond whenever the decon team is activated. Team members are taught the correct way to don and doff PPE such as gowns, boots, gloves and masks including those with self-contained filtration systems. They are also instructed how to safely and thoroughly rid contaminants from patients.
Jennifer Ochieng has been a member of the decontamination team for two years. She serves as an infection preventionist at Parkland and with a background in healthcare emergency management, it was a natural fit.
“We need to be ready for the next big emerging pathogen. Just a few months after I joined the decon team, Ebola hit Dallas and my involvement was critical at that point,” Ochieng said. “We were able to liaise and ensure we were prepared and ready with the Ebola-specific PPE.”
Through her training with the team she has attended emerging pathogen workshops and exercises and has built relationships with other emergency managers and decon members in the area. “These relationships,” she said, “will be critical if and when a true emergency hits the Dallas-Fort Worth area.”
Rudy Vasquez, Jr. has served on Parkland’s decon team for eight years and believes his training in emergency preparedness has benefitted patients, co-workers and the community at large.
“During the Ebola outbreak of 2014, I was proud to serve as one of the primary responders and trained extensively at our Dallas County unit in Richardson,” said Vasquez, Business Operations Supervisor for Parkland’s Orthopedic, Pain Management and Plastic Surgery clinics “Being on this team has allowed me to collaborate with so many other team members from different departments, backgrounds and professions.”
The initial onboarding courses, ongoing training and exercises ensure team members are prepared for any type of response including chemical, biological and radiological exposure decontamination, Vasquez noted, adding, “Leadership has recognized the importance of this team and has supported us throughout.”
For more information about Parkland’s services, visit www.parklandhospital.com
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