TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Decontamination Principles: Prevention of Dermal, Ophthalmic, and Inhalational Absorption A1 - Lucyk, Scott A2 - Nelson, Lewis S. A2 - Howland, Mary Ann A2 - Lewin, Neal A. A2 - Smith, Silas W. A2 - Goldfrank, Lewis R. A2 - Hoffman, Robert S. PY - 2019 T2 - Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 11e AB - Decontamination is a term that describes limiting or minimizing the exposure of a patient to a xenobiotic. This involves removal of a xenobiotic by physical means or by chemical neutralization before it can be systemically absorbed. Despite limited controlled studies assessing its efficacy, decontamination remains the mainstay of initial treatment for a patient exposed to a potentially harmful xenobiotic. Decontamination strategies in toxicology often refer to gastrointestinal (GI) techniques to minimize absorption or enhance elimination in orally poisoned patients (Chaps. 5 and 6). These same principles apply to other exposure routes where local or systemic absorption and toxicity occur, including dermal, ophthalmic, and pulmonary routes. An important point to note is that as opposed to GI decontamination, in which initial patient assessment and management always comes first, in the case of dermal and pulmonary contamination, in which there is risk for contamination and harm to health care personnel, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is paramount before initiation of patient decontamination. The benefits of decontamination to remove or neutralize a xenobiotic are severalfold and include (1) prevention of further absorption and toxicity in exposed patients, (2) prevention of secondary contamination of other staff or equipment, and (3) prevention of contamination of the health care facility and other patients. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/29 UR - accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1163016894 ER -