Hospital Healthcare First Receiver Program

Hospital and Healthcare workers risk occupational exposures to chemical, biological, or radiological materials when a hospital receives contaminated patients, particularly during mass casualty incidents. These hospital and healthcare employees, who may be termed first receivers, work at a site remote from the location where the hazardous substance release occurred. This means that their exposures are limited to the substances transported to the hospital on victims’ skin, hair, clothing, or personal effects.

The location and limited source of the contaminant distinguishes first receivers from other first responders (e.g., firefighters, law enforcement, and ambulance service personnel), who typically respond to the incident site (i.e., the Release Zone). In order to protect their employees, hospitals benefit from information to assist them in emergency planning for incidents involving hazardous substances.

The Cleveland State University Center for Emergency Preparedness revised the “Best Practices for Hospital and Healthcare First Receivers,” including the latest version of the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS), to help you in meeting your organizational needs.

The Center for Emergency Preparedness offers a one eight-hour day program and/or a one-half day / four hour refresher program. Please download the brochure (pictured above) regarding this program.

Should you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us at 216-802-3382.
Thank you.