Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 19
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism:
TICs & TIMs
Expect Large Numbers of Patients
after Mass Chemical Exposure
• Types of Patients
• Obvious Medical Needs
– Poisoned
– Contaminated
• Nonspecific symptoms
– With no apparent exposure
• Asymptomatic
– “Just want to get checked out ”
http://www.uli -atl.com/alerts_2007/alert_070118b.htm
Module One – Observed Behaviors during Mass Chemical Exposures
19
Three distinct types of patients often present in HazMat or mass chemical exposure
situations. Each group has different needs. Ideally, they should be identified and
separated in the triage process.
Obviously ill or - at least - contaminated individuals require treatment. A contaminated
person is potentially poisoned, and potentially a risk to others, so should be assessed for
symptoms related to exposure mechanism (e.g. inhalation) and agent, and assessed for
the need for decontamination..
Others may have vague or non-specific symptoms. While it might be difficult to
understand how victims in this group could have sustained a large enough exposure to
become ill, they should be evaluated for any physiologic abnormalities (symptom nature
and vital signs, screening physical exam – e.g. breath sounds, mucous membrane
irritation) and reevaluated as adequate information becomes available regarding the
exposure or if they become more symptomatic.
Generally, the largest group of people just ‘want to get checked out.’ They just need
reassurance that everything is OK. These people are similar to car crash victims that
are fine but come to ED to get checked out.
December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 445