Decontamination of Children - About This Video

• Decontamination of Children (HHS/AHRQ) provides a step-by-step decontamination demonstration in real time, and trains clinicians about the nuances of treating infants and children, who require special attention during decontamination.
• For example, children may be frightened not only by the emergency situation itself, but also by the decontamination process as well.
• Decontamination of children also takes longer than decontamination of adults.
• Video focuses on chemical decontamination, but radiation decontamination is similar.
• Some of the differences between chemical and radiation decontamination include:
• Responders may use different personal protective equipment for radiation than that used for chemical decontamination.
• Rigorous skin rubbing is used for chemical, but less rigorous skin rubbing for radiation decontamination of skin.
• It may not be feasible to capture contaminated waste water in a large mass casualty event.
• Soap and water are used for radiation decontamination, but after some chemical events, bleach and alcohol may be used for skin decontamination.
• Although the video mentions at least 5 minutes/child for one cycle of chemical decontamination, showering techniques used for radiation decontamination may require less than 5 minutes per child per cycle.
• System requirements to view video
• Video, available for free, is produced by Children's Hospital of Boston with funding from HHS/AHRQ.

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