G-8. Classification of Patients
On the NBC battlefield, two classifications of patients will be encountered—contaminated and uncontaminated. Those contaminated may suffer from the effects of an NBC agent, of a conventional wound, or both. Some may suffer combat stress or heat injuries induced by the stress of NBC conditions and extended time spent in MOPP Level 4. It is important to follow proper decontamination procedures to limit the spread of contamination to others and equipment. The most important decontamination is performed at the site of contamination. Decontamination at a later time may be too late to prevent injury to the individual, especially when exposed to vesicants. All agents should be promptly removed from the skin.
G-9. Patient Treatment
This appendix only describes patient decontamination procedures. For NBC treatment procedures, refer to FM 4-02.283, FM 8-284, and FM 8-285.
Section II. PATIENT DECONTAMINATION PROCEDURES
G-10. Decontaminate a Litter Chemical Agent Patient
Before contaminated patients receive medical treatment in the clean treatment area, they must be decontaminated. Place the cutting device in a container of 5 percent hypochlorite solution between each use. Each decontamination team member decontaminates his gloves and apron with the 5 percent hypochlorite solution frequently to prevent spreading any contamination to patient's skin. Decontaminate the patient's skin, bandages, wounds, mask, identification tags with chain, and splints with a 0.5 percent hypochlorite solution. The litter patient is decontaminated and undressed as follows:
NOTE
Litter patients requiring EMT or ATM in the clean area of the MTF will be completely decontaminated. A patient not requiring clean EMT or ATM at the MTF, but requiring further evacuation (for example: a stable patient with a partial amputation of a lower extremity) should only have his wound area and MOPP spot decontaminated to remove any gross contamination. The patient should be evacuated in his MOPP.