EMERGENCY PROCEDURES MANUAL - Department of Health

STAFF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING (PPC)
Stored in ECC
CODE BROWN
• Recommended Level “C” Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), comprising suit,
mask with filter, gloves & water resistant overshoes.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for 10 staff. This allows for 2 shifts of 3
staff rotating every 20-30minutes if necessary.
• If such protection is not available, staff should avoid contact with contaminated
patients and arrange for a Hazmat Team from the MFB to attend & assist with the
decontamination process PRIOR to staff contact.
• In less serious incidents, Level “D” PPE may be all that is required, comprising
overalls or gown, gloves, overboots, and glasses.
AIR FLOW IN CBR INCIDENTS:
• Security to close, but not lock, rear access glass door.
• Facilities, Engineering & Maintenance to switch air-flow control for emergency:
- “Fire-Smoke Mode” if internal contamination suspected.
- “Recycle Mode” if external environmental air contamination suspected.
BIOLOGICAL SPECIFIC ISSUES
May involve a natural pandemic, a biological accident, or deliberate bioterrorism.
Consult immediately with the Infectious Diseases Unit, and maintain close
communications with both Pharmacy and Pathology-Microbiology. As always, the
principles of strict Universal Precautions should be followed together with any
additional advice from the Infectious Diseases Unit.
RADIATION SPECIFIC ISSUES
The following priority sequence should be observed in radiation incidents:
1. The safety of all staff.
2. The external decontamination of the patient prior to entry into the ED.
3. The stabilisation the patient’s vital signs.
4. All patient samples to be labelled . “Radioactive”.
5. Patient decontamination: Internal & wounds.
6. Attend other patient problems.
7. Decontamination of the Control Area.
27/09/00 Page 9 of 27