Difference between revisions of "Hazardous Materials Alert (OPS)"

Revision as of 04:48, 9 May 2016

Section 2 - EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

220.19 Hazardous Material Alert

PURPOSE:

To create a standard method of patient care for incidents involving patients exposed to or suspected to have been exposed to a Hazardous Substance or Hazardous Material. By declaring a HAZMAT ALERT a pre-planned series of events will take place to protect the patient, our personnel, and the receiving facility’s personnel. A HAZMAT ALERT will provide the following:

Early notification to receiving hospitals of an incoming HAZMAT patient.

Early involvement of the closest HAZMAT Team in decision-making.

Early involvement of Regional Poison Control or Medical Control.

RESPONSIBILITY:

All personnel assigned to Fire Operations and Communications.

DEFINITION:

A Hazardous Material is defined as any chemical compound found in solid, liquid or gas form that is not intended for human inhalation, ingestion or absorption.

PROCEDURE:

A HAZMAT ALERT should be initiated:

• At the time of dispatch, when a caller reports a medical emergency involving a chemical smell or hazardous material exposure.
• When the first arriving crew suspects a hazardous materials exposure due to odor, history or other sources of information.
• By Hospital Emergency Department staff, in the event a hazardous material exposure is suspected, from a walk-in patient and additional resources are needed.