NIOSH: Preventing Occupational Exposure to Healthcare Personnel in Hospital and Clinic Settings

“Personnel in healthcare facilities who perform jobs where illicit fentanyl is reasonably anticipated to be present should receive special training in how to conduct a risk assessment and demonstrate an understanding of the following elements. Whether as part of a formal or informal triage process, external healthcare personnel should incorporate the following training elements into the initial part of the patient assessment process to help guide subsequent actions related to minimizing potential exposure to illicit fentanyl:

• Potential exposure routes for illicit fentanyl.
• How to recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid exposure (applicable to patients and other healthcare personnel).
• How to recognize potential illicit fentanyl contamination in patients.
• When to use PPE; what PPE is necessary; how to properly put on, use, take off, dispose of, and maintain PPE; and the limitations of PPE.
• When and how to decontaminate a patient.”