Washtenaw/Livingston MCA
HEMS

Hazardous Materials Medical Response Team Procedures

Eye Irrigation

Eye irrigation should be performed on all patients with a significant exposure to a gas or when the eye is contaminated by a substance.

Procedure:

Pre-Radio Contact

1.	Remove contact lenses.
2.	Eyes should be flushed immediately with 1000cc of Normal Saline minimum for each eye.
3.	Use Tetracaine hydrochloride 0.5% 1 - 2 drops in each eye.
4.	Insert an irrigation lens into each eye.
5.	Hook lenses up to Normal Saline and irrigate with minimum of 1000 cc for each eye.
6.	If the chemical the patient was exposed to creates a potential for secondary exposure, care should be taken to contain the run-off.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Care should be taken that the patient does not rub eyes after administration of Tetracaine as damage can occur.
	
If available, perform a pH test pre and post treatment until a pH of 7 or neutral is reached.

	

8-04

MCA Approved	02/98	11/04			
Implement	02/99	04/05