Risk Factors for Internal Contamination of a Healthcare Worker Caring for a Patient with Polonium-210 Poisoning

 

Risk factors for internal contamination in healthcare workers caring for a patient poisoned with polonium-210:

(1) failure to use standard personal protective equipment (PPE)

(2) involved in the daily care of the patient (bathing, toileting, etc)

(3) collecting urine samples and/or changing urine bags

(4) handling blood samples

 

Additional risks might include (not listed in report):

(1) not being aware that the patient was poisoned with polonium-210

(2) failure of management to take extra precautions

(3) not being able to monitor body fluids for contamination