a. Collocating patient and thorough decontamination operations in the BSA may provide several advantages ([Figure G-2]). It—
- Preserves the principle of limiting the spread of contamination.
- Reduces confusion on the battlefield.
- Reduces demand on logistics support elements.
- Improves contamination control and reporting: One location and one person in charge.
- Reduces overall security requirements.
- Speeds PDS closure by using the thorough decontamination site.
b. An identified disadvantage is the increased size of the site and the requirement for medical support augmentation (a treatment squad from another organization with required patient decontamination and treatment MESs) to operate the PDS.
NOTE
Organic medical personnel must not be used to perform the HSS mission at the collocated site. They must go through the decontamination process with their unit.
c. These operations do not require that both patient decontamination and unit thorough decontamination be executed simultaneously. The PDS can be running while the thorough decontamination site is being prepared. Patient decontamination cannot be delayed since patients may be suffering life-threatening injuries as well as exposure to NBC agents. Therefore, the PDS must be established and operational before the first patients arrive. The wind direction must be common to both sites.
d. The decontamination platoon leader is responsible for establishing the combined decontamination site. The medical unit commander/surgeon coordinates with the decontamination platoon leader for the location of the patient receiving, PDS, and MTF. The lowest level at which this operation will usually be planned is brigade. This operation requires extensive planning and must involve the brigade chemical officer, brigade S4, and the medical company commander/brigade surgeon. Decontamination support for special operation forces, other unique operational organizations, or for nonlinear operations may require execution at a lower level. The supporting medical personnel operate the PDS. Nonmedical personnel perform patient decontamination procedures under medical supervision. Patient decontamination procedures are described below.
NOTE
Patient decontamination differs from thorough decontamination in that the patients' medical status must be monitored and medical treatment must be provided during the decontamination process.