Online Tool Helps First Responders ID Hazardous Chemicals

Exposure to hazardous chemicals can cause serious illness quickly, but emergency medical providers often don’t know the key piece of information that determines treatment: Which of the tens of thousands of toxic chemicals is making patients sick?

A new online tool will help paramedics, nurses, emergency physicians and other first responders more rapidly identify the group of chemicals causing patients to become ill. This will allow them to begin treatment sooner during large-scale toxic chemical exposures caused by accidents or terrorist attacks.

Mark Kirk, MD, an associate professor of emergency medicine with the University of Virginia Health System who also works for the Department of Homeland Security, led the development of the Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management Intelligent Syndromes Tool (CHEMM-IST) with members of the National Library of Medicine.

How CHEMM-IST helps first responders

The tool works by dividing toxic chemicals into groups based on the symptoms they cause, Kirk says. First responders answer a series of questions about the symptoms patients are experiencing. CHEMM-IST uses those answers to determine which group of chemicals is most likely causing the illness, recommend initial treatments and detail how rescue workers should protect themselves against exposure to the chemicals.

First responders armed with this information can safely begin providing the most effective treatment sooner before the hazardous chemical is precisely identified, which can help provide better outcomes for patients and may help save victims’ lives. “CHEMM-IST helps you fill that knowledge gap until you know exactly what you’re dealing with,” he says.

CHEMM-IST, which is part of the National Library of Medicine’s broader Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management program, is now undergoing validation and testing by emergency medical personnel. Smart phone applications will soon be available to make it easier for emergency medical workers to access the tool at the scene of a chemical exposure.

Featured

  • Maximizing Your Security Budget This Year

    Perimeter Security Standards for Multi-Site Businesses

    When you run or own a business that has multiple locations, it is important to set clear perimeter security standards. By doing this, it allows you to assess and mitigate any potential threats or risks at each site or location efficiently and effectively. Read Now

  • New Research Shows a Continuing Increase in Ransomware Victims

    GuidePoint Security recently announced the release of GuidePoint Research and Intelligence Team’s (GRIT) Q1 2024 Ransomware Report. In addition to revealing a nearly 20% year-over-year increase in the number of ransomware victims, the GRIT Q1 2024 Ransomware Report observes major shifts in the behavioral patterns of ransomware groups following law enforcement activity – including the continued targeting of previously “off-limits” organizations and industries, such as emergency hospitals. Read Now

  • OpenAI's GPT-4 Is Capable of Autonomously Exploiting Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

    According to a new study from four computer scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, OpenAI’s paid chatbot, GPT-4, is capable of autonomously exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities without any human assistance. Read Now

  • Getting in Someone’s Face

    There was a time, not so long ago, when the tradeshow industry must have thought COVID-19 might wipe out face-to-face meetings. It sure seemed that way about three years ago. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises. 3

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings. 3