Decontamination Principles and Patient Management (MEDICAL)

This course prepares hospital first receivers to manage contaminated patients during mass casualty incidents (MCIs). Participants will learn decontamination protocols, PPE use, and patient management strategies to protect staff, patients, and facilities while adhering to OSHA and HAZWOPER standards.

• Understand the responsibilities of ED clinicians, security, environmental staff, and administrators during MCIs
• Recognize risks from chemical, biological, radiological, and explosive agents transported on patients
• Review OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 (HAZWOPER) standards for Awareness and Operations Level training
• Understand annual refresher training requirements for operations-level responders
• Select appropriate PPE based on hazard vulnerability analysis and role-specific risks
• Learn proper donning, doffing, and use of chemical protective clothing, gloves, boots, and PAPRs
• Prevent secondary contamination of healthcare workers through strict PPE protocols
• Establish and manage decontamination zones to prevent contamination spread
• Apply dry and wet decontamination methods based on contaminant type
• Address diverse patient needs, including children, elderly, disabled individuals, and pets
• Manage self-referred victims who arrive without prior decontamination
• Adapt to unknown threats with limited information about hazardous agents
• Protect staff and other patients while responding to rapidly evolving situations
• Customize emergency plans using hazard vulnerability analyses and community coordination
• Conduct regular drills and performance monitoring to maintain readiness
• Build multidisciplinary Hospital Emergency Response Teams (HERT) for effective response
• Explore hybrid online/in-person OSHA-compliant training options
• Incorporate new threats like synthetic opioids and chemical suicides into training curricula
• Use hospital assessment tools to identify and address preparedness gaps

Certificate of Completion in Decontamination Principles and Patient Management (MEDICAL)

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 (HAZWOPER - Emergency Response)DHS Hospital Emergency Response Training (HERT) guidelines

This course is ideal for hospital staff, including clinicians, security, environmental personnel, and administrators involved in MCI response.Emphasis is placed on practical application, regulatory compliance, and continuous preparedness to ensure hospital safety.