Hazmat scare prompts ED evacuation
Healthcare facility located near Maryland military base
An emergency department in Frederick, Md., was locked down after two patients complained of minor burning and trouble breathing, according to an article on the HCPro website.
The two men experienced symptoms when they opened a package delivered to their home. The men brought the package to Frederick Memorial Hospital, prompting the hazmat response.
The ED was closed to new patients for about three hours. Patients already inside were moved away from the two men.
A hazmat team came to establish a decontamination tent in the ED, but the suspicious package was found to contain a common household chemical.
May 11, 2017
Topic Area: Safety
Recent Posts
The Debate on Laundering Microfibers in Healthcare
Should microfibers be single-use or reusable? Researchers have opinions on both.
Construction Begins for New Cancer Center at OhioHealth's Administrative Campus
The project’s completion date is estimated for late 2028.
Sutter Health and Alina Health to Form 39-Hospital System
The organizations anticipate closing by the end of 2026, pending regulatory approval.
IAQ and Infection Mitigation in Aging Facilities
Challenges can contribute to elevated risks related to patient safety, staff comfort and retention, and heightened regulatory and accreditation scrutiny.
Preventing Pests: Effective Measures in Healthcare Facilities
How integrated pest management can protect patient health.