TASKS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE IN MASS POISONING

Abstract

Article briefly introduces the problem of toxic substances used mainly in
the chemical industry or with which residents may come in contact, and more
people may be affected in a mass health impairment. General features and
treatment of poisoning, and emergency medical services operations as well, have
been discussed as an essential component of the integrated rescue system for mass
health impairment caused by these substances. Emphasis is put not only on the first
medical aid, but also the technical assistance, meaning an evacuation and
decontamination. These activities are generally carried out by members of the Fire
and Rescue Brigade of the Czech Republic. Under some specific circumstances,
specialized forces of the Czech Army would certainly have been deployed as well.
The next part of the article presents the most toxic chemicals, poisoning symptoms
and treatment. The authors consider important to mention the toxic agens cyanide,
benzene, organophosphates, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen chloride and other
chemicals widely used in various industrial sectors. Treatment of poisoning must
be understood differently in terms of emergency medicine and disaster medicine in
the field. In cases of mass health impairment it is not possible to provide for all the
affected people with a full-scale care, but according to the current state of health,
sorting and prioritizing treatment and evacuation to a medical facility is being
carried out.