Chemical Decontamination That Improves Victim Outcomes

Over several years, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, partnered with the University of Hertfordshire to determine the best process for emergency decontamination for victims of chemical exposure. This research included laboratory and human clinical studies and resulted in the publication of several peer-reviewed papers on effective procedures for decontamination, culminating in the development of the Primary Response to Incident Scene Management (PRISM) decontamination guidance. PRISM provides an evidence-based protocol for disrobing and decontaminating that has been shown to be faster and more effective than legacy processes being practiced throughout the United States.

This presentation will provide attendees with an overview of the research supporting the PRISM guidance, review the operational procedures for mass casualty chemical decontamination, and discuss the evolution of the recently released PRISM educational curriculum. The PRISM guidance is part of BARDA's advanced research and development portfolio of medical countermeasures to prevent, diagnose, and treat the US population against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats.