RADIATION ACCIDENTS
A plan for handling radiation accidents in hospitals is outlined. All rooms used in examination and treatment of radioactive persons must be surveyed by the hospital radiation officer, before being used for other accident cases. Following emergency treatment, the patient is transported to the clinical radioisotope unit. If he has sustained surface contamination only, he is decontaminated by scrubbing with soap and water before he is admitted for observation. If the radioactive contaminant was ingested or inhaled, he is admitted to a private room in which personnel who care for him must observe specific controls. This includes working at a distance from the patient whenever possible, staying at the bedside for no longer than the time specified, and checking of linen and excreta for radiation. The precautions are reviewed daily and changed as deemed safe. As the radiation hazard decreases, the time personnel are permitted with the patient increases. The patient is isolated until he is no longer a source of a significant amount of radiation, at which time he is released from isolation by the radiation control officer. (P.C.H.)
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Arizona School of Nursing, Tucson
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-012513
- OSTI ID:
- 4769753
- Journal Information:
- Nursing Outlook, Journal Name: Nursing Outlook Vol. Vol: 9
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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