It may depend on the reason for having it.
Atropine injector kits (in conjunction with 2-pam chloride) are issued
to soldiers and workers as an anti-dote for nerve agent exposure. No
prescription required for "workplace use". Anything beyond 3 doses
requires medical professional input, but primarily due to the
possibility of overdose. I've either carried or had access to atropine
on the job for the last 11 years.
Like everything else, there are notable exceptions.
Don A. Long
STS, CAIH
Southwest Research Institute Laboratory
Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility
PO Box 20130
White Hall, AR 71612
870-541-4930
-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU]On Behalf Of
Benedict, Kathryn Grace
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 2:03 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Laboratory medical oversight
If I am not mistaken, atropine also requires a prescription and must be
administered by a licensed medical professional.
Our medical group(experienced ER trained doc & nurses)in my previous
research setting decided they would rather wait for the ambulance(which
did have atropine on board) than maintain a stock of atropine for
chemical rescue because atropine use requires skilled calibration and
the appropriate 'rescue' drugs in hand in case the calibration was off.
Kathy
-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of
bill parks
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 12:15 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Laboratory medical oversight
My last client uses a simple spreadsheet with bi-monthly required checks
to ensure the kits are fully stocked, have not been tampered with, and
the alarm system on the cabinet works. The kits - cyanide antidote - are
provided by an "OCC Doc" via prescription, and must be swapped out every
year.
Bill Parks
CHST, CHMP, CEHT, CIE(pending), LSP(C), RPIH
630/380-4032
**Providing sound Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Safety and Health,
Environmental Health & IAQ, Environmental, and Laboratory support
services and solutions for over 25 years**
--- On Tue, 3/16/10, Ralph Stuart wrote:
> From: Ralph Stuart
> Subject: [DCHAS-L] Laboratory medical oversight
> To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
> Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 12:01 PM
> We have a variety of laboratories
> that work with chemicals that present acute hazards that
> require rapid response in case of exposure. Examples include
> HF and diisopropyl fluorophosphate among others. Some of our
> labs that use these chemicals have procured antidotes (such
> as calcium gluconate or atropine) for exposures to these
> chemicals and, for example, taped them to the fume hood
> where the material is used. We've noticed that these
> materials tend to be out of date when we discover them.
>
> Has anyone developed a program to manage this part of
> hazardous chemical use, such as identifying which chemicals
> require such a measure, assuring that the materials are kept
> up to date, and providing lab workers with training in their
> use?
>
> We're trying to assess what it would take to implement such
> a program here.
>
> Thanks for any information.
>
> - Ralph
>
> Ralph Stuart, CIH
> Environmental Safety Manager
> University of Vermont
> Environmental Safety Facility
> 667 Spear St. Burlington, VT=A0 05405
>
> rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu
> fax: (802)656-5407
>
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