Global Recognition Campaign for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Global
Recognition
Campaign
for
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities,
Chemical Injury,
Chemical Hypersensitivity,
Environmental Illness
and other chemically
induced illnesses
affecting Civilians and
Military personnel.

What is MCS
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?

What you should know about……. Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS)
 by Christiane Tourtet, B. A. USA & Florida State Coordinator MCS-Global

MCS Global
Information Package

This Information Package was put together for the convenience of those people who have little time but are concerned enough to want to know more about Global Chemical Pollution and its devastating effects on our health and the environment.

No one should be

"scared to death"

of having to call 911 or 000.
 

Like all people, those with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) or Environmental Illness (EI) occasionally find the need to access emergency care, perhaps at an even greater rate than others because of their precarious health. But many with MCS/EI have a deep fear of calling for help. Probably the biggest reason for not calling for help is the fear of having a serious, even life-threatening anaphylactic reaction to an administered drug.

They also do not want to worsen their condition by being exposed to ambulance exhaust (especially diesel), perfume, cologne, scented laundry products and cigarette smoke residue emanating from the EMT’s and various emergency equipment such as plastic oxygen masks, intravenous fluids in plastic bags and latex gloves.

People with MCS also worry about being transported to a hospital against their will.

Another element of concern has more to do with the sometimes-insensitive approach of health care providers when faced with an MCS patient. Although many EMTs have been reported to be kind, courteous and respectful of MCS patients as well as patients in general, others have been rude and ready to assume the person they are treating is "crazy" or on drugs. These fears within the MCS community has unfortunately led patients to prolong calling for help through 911 or 000 until their condition has deteriorated drastically. Can you imagine having a medical team, all wearing personal fragrances or multiples of fragrances on their hair, body and clothing, donning latex gloves, trying to put a brand new plastic oxygen mask on a patient with MCS, or trying to put an un-outgassed plastic tube down your throat so you can breathe? I am afraid this has HUGE potential for killing, if not, just about killing a person with MCS.  Would emergency medical persons ever know that it did? I doubt it!

Knowing how to provide emergency treatment to an environmental / chemically sensitive person who is in active distress is admittedly difficult and presents a great challenge to the EMT. The most important thing for an EMT to do is to listen to the patient, accept what they are saying, and respect their limits. This, of course, has to be balanced with providing life-saving measures as taught in EMT training and authorized through treatment protocols. Bear in mind, too, that MCS patients may have difficulty communicating verbally if they have been, or continue to be, chemically exposed.

The following are the important issues for the emergency treatment of MCS patients who access EMS:
 

• Listen to the patient--reassure patients that you understand they are chemically sensitive and that you will work with them in providing care. Continually communicate with them regarding their environment, the treatments you plan, and respect the patient's limitations in possibly refusing some interventions. Many patients with MCS also have Porphyria and other serious health disorders. Listen to the patient.

• Because vehicle exhaust fumes are so toxic, use all methods to minimize exposure to the patient--ideally, avoid idling of the ambulance at the scene of an emergency response, at least turn off the motor when loading and unloading a patient, and close the windows to reduce fumes entering the vehicle during transport. This should be a practice with all patients.

• Refrain from wearing ALL perfumes, cologne, after shave, fragranced deodorants, fragranced fabric dyer sheets, detergents, lotions or other fragranced products while on duty--In the closed environment of an ambulance compartment, the over-powering scent of fragrance (synthetic or natural) can be extremely hazardous to an MCS patient. This can often times set off an anaphylactic reaction. Will you know that you were the cause of this reaction?
• Refrain from smoking while on duty or wearing clothes that have smoke residue.
• Remove patients from hostile environments--as with HAZMAT protocols, remove the patient from the source of danger by moving them out of offices, stores, theaters, etc.. and into fresh air whenever possible. Quickly remove patients from areas of gasoline spills or leaks, smoke, and exhaust fumes. This measure alone, which is good practice with all patients, may improve the patient's ability to communicate with you and the outcome of the situation.
• Use the patient's own medical equipment whenever possible--some patients with severe MCS have their own air filters, oxygen tubing, ceramic face masks, and toxic-free sheets/towels which should be used in lieu of similar equipment on the ambulance (with the patient's permission). Many personal air filters can easily be plugged into the DC outlet in the ambulance.

• Intravenous fluids in plastic bags may be harmful--ideally, those with MCS should receive IV solutions from glass bottles, but since these are not standard in ambulance vehicles because of safety concerns, consider that an IV may not be best for the patient unless critically life-threatening conditions exist. Also, avoid glucose solutions if possible and use isotonic solutions.
• Avoid of the use of drugs if possible--there needs to be a balance between what is life saving and what may potentially harm a patient. MCS sufferers are often very sensitive to many drugs and preservatives. Listen to the patient's concerns, history of reaction to medicines, and contact medical control for advice on administration of any medicine.
• Avoid the use of latex gloves and latex products, Band-Aids, tape and tourniquets.
  
  
  There are scores of other suggestions that may improve the EMS environment in treating MCS patients, such as cautious use of disinfectants in the vehicle, hypoallergenic tapes and dressings, and the cleaning practices for linens or towels.

  It is unfortunate that most MCS patients do not wear identification bracelets that would notify the EMT of their condition, but many are unable to wear metal bracelets due to allergies and sensitivities to the very metals the ID bracelets are made of. Hopefully, a standardized method of identification can be developed in the future that will be helpful for emergency providers and patients alike.

  In summary, MCS is a serious and complex illness that is poorly understood by most health care providers. People with MCS may have to access emergency services because of an exacerbation of their MCS symptoms or from an unexpected emergency or accident. In either case, it is important for EMT’ to be familiar with MCS so that care can be balanced between what is life-saving and appropriate versus what can actually produce more harm to the patient. Listening to the patient, keeping an open mind, and being flexible within guidelines goes a long way towards making it a positive experience for all involved. Utilizing direct medical control when conflicts arise between standard emergency practices and the wishes of an MCS patient are of utmost importance.

  As more is discovered in the future about this complicated disease, EMS will undoubtedly need to adjust its protocols, make some changes in dress code and policies and procedures to provide better treatments for Environmentally Sensitive and MCS patients, while continuing to strive to "do no harm."

   

  For more information: Kathleen Houghton cfs-mcs(at)gci.net