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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2007-10-03, Page 12Page 12 The Huron Expositor • October 3, 2007 News Hospital staff train with decontamination gear Province mandates training to deal with chemical, biological, nuclear accidents From Page 1 continue to run their own programs through the LHINs (Local Health Integration Networks)," said Raptopoulos. Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance hospitals have each been supplied by the province with a decontamination tent and a number of one-time use decontamination suits to use in an emer- gency. During the exercise, a handful of staff were dressed in the decontamination gear and took staff acting as patients through a tent with three lanes where they were showered and sprayed with water and scrubbed with brushes for a timed period. While the "patients" wore bathing suits, the victims would have been stripped naked in a real emergency since clothing would likely be contam- inated the most. Afterwards, those in the suits were instructed about how to wash each other down and safely disrobe without contaminating themselves and each other. During the various simulations, staff had to deal with uncooperative patients and unruly friends and family who all needed to be deconta- minated. "It's just about being as diligent about being clean as you can. A lot of the process is repetitive to make sure you're doing it right," said Raptopoulos, pointing out the danger of infecting the whole hospital if the process is not followed. In rural areas, Raptopoulos said likely emer- gencies that could require the decontamination tent might involve industrial accidents, fires involving farm chemicals or tanker train or truck crashes. "The potential risk has always been there - we're just training how to deal with it now," he said. Above, Dianne Wood and other team- mates help Mary Lou Hyde into a decont- amination suit during a training session at Seaforth Community Hospital last Thursday. Susan Hundertmark photos At left, Dianne Walkom plays the part of a victim as she's led into a decontamination tent by a suited -up hospital staff member while trainer, registered nurse Richard Raptopoulos, looks on from behind. Above, looking like astronauts in their decontamination suits, hospital staff wait to hose down and scrub their patients. 4 CAROL MITCHELL Carol Mitchell Moving Huron -Bruce Forward A Proven Track Record of Getting Results for You and Your Family! Authorized by the CFO Carol Mitchell Campaign Goderich 519-524-5388 Port Elgin 519-832-4363 Walkerton 519-881-1247 Toll Free 1 866-281-1140