II. Indications
- Chemical Weapon Exposure
- Toxin Exposure
III. Precautions
- Patients with critical injuries are decontaminated first
- Avoid separating families from their children unless otherwise dictated by critical medical priorities
- All children should have a unique identification number on wristband or similar
- Following Decontamination, patients should be triaged for further medical evaluation
IV. Protocol: Non-ambulatory children
- Child is undressed by Caregiver/parent and "hot zone" staff
- Child is placed on stretcher or restraining device
- Child is moved through Decontamination shower, accompanied by Caregiver/parent and "hot zone" staff
- Decontamination of child and Caregiver/parent is directly supervised
- Airway monitoring is maintained throughout process
V. Protocol: Ambulatory children ages 8 to 18 years old
- Child undresses without assistance, respecting modesty and privacy
- Child decontaminates self
- Child moves through Decontamination shower in succession with Caregiver/parent or classmates
VI. Protocol: Ambulatory children ages 2 to 8 years old
- Child undresses with assistance from Caregiver/parent and "hot zone" staff
- Child moves through Decontamination shower, accompanied by Caregiver/parent or "hot zone" staff
- Decontamination of child is directly supervised
- Airway monitoring is maintained throughout process
VII. Protocol: Ambulatory children age under 2 years old (infants and toddlers)
- Child is undressed by Caregiver/parent and "hot zone" staff
- Child is placed on stretcher or restraining device (not carried due to risk of falls)
- Child is moved through Decontamination shower, accompanied by Caregiver/parent and "hot zone" staff
- Decontamination of child and Caregiver/parent is directly supervised
- Airway monitoring is maintained throughout process
VIII. References
- Seeyave and Bradin (2014) Crit Dec Emerg Med 28(12): 2-13
- Foltin (2009) Clin Pediatr Emerg 10(3): 186-94 [PubMed]