Today I want to share with you the importance of not working in silos and not gatekeeping information that may beneficial for others to know about.

The National Pediatric Disaster Coalition (NPDC) shares many resources related to pediatrics and I highly encourage everyone to follow, share and attend the events that are shared.

Decontaminating children is one of the most challenging parts of disaster preparedness for Fire, HazMat, EMS, and Hospitals. Yet many of these groups are unfamiliar with the updated Primary Response Incident Scene Management (PRISM) Guidance. 

Did you know you can remove 99% of chemical contamination by having the patient disrobe and blot their skin with dry, absorbent material? 

Learn more about the Primary Response Incident Scene Management (PRISM), an evidence-based guidance for human chemical decontamination. Did you know that there are all sorts of nuances about the process involved in decontamination? At this time, most training information on pediatric information on decontamination is limited to  “wet” decontamination and, in some cases, has not caught up with PRISM guidance, which is evidence-based.  

The following information will help bring you up to speed:

• MUST VIEW: Start with the excellent discussion: Readiness Rewired Podcast on Wet and Dry DECON https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRNXPViwQdw with Josh Balk, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for OSF in Peoria, IL, and a member of IL Region 2 Response Team
• BARDA PRISM Webpage: https://medicalcountermeasures.gov/barda/cbrn/prism/. Includes Strategic Guidance: First Edition, Tactical Guidance: Second Edition, Operational Guidance: Second Edition
• ASPIRE Algorithm: https://chemm.hhs.gov/aspire.htm (Algorithm Suggesting Proportionate Incident Response Engagement) is a prototype decision-aiding tool developed by experts in medicine and emergency response to help identify the need for patients exposed to chemical agents to undertake wet decontamination.
• CHEMM: Primary Response Incident Scene Management https://chemm.hhs.gov/guidance.htm#1

Call to Action:

• Share this information with Fire, Hazmat, EMS, Emergency Management, and Hospital Emergency Department 
• Decontamination is complicated, especially when children are involved. Be aware that TEEX Mgt 439 Pediatric Disaster Preparedness Course includes PRISM guidance.
• Encourage your emergency managers and hospital coalitions to evaluate their decontamination protocols.

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