It is suggested that blood, urine, feces, or other samples taken in the emergency treatment period be retained for subsequent investigation. Feces x 4 days Decontamination of the contaminated patient Good judgement is essential in determining decontamination priorities. In general, contaminated wounds and body orifices are decontaminated first, followed by areas of highest contamination levels on the intact skin. Please note that frequent glove changes will be necessary. In a contamination accident, any wound must be considered contaminated until proven otherwise and should be decontaminated prior to decontaminating intact skin .
Appropriate action is based on half-life, radiotoxicity, and the amount of radioactive material.
It is important to consult experts as soon as possible and to initiate measures that prevent or minimize uptake of the radioactive material into body cells or tissues. Contaminated wounds are first draped, preferably with a waterproof material, to limit the spread of radioactivity. Wound decontamination is accomplished by gently irrigating with saline or water. More than one irrigation is usually necessary. The wound should be monitored after each irrigation.