The facility reported that an employee inhaled rapicide pa high level disinfectant (hld) fumes and became sick.The employee was treated at the hospital due to the reported chemical exposure.Medivators regulatory followed up with the facility and it was reported that the chemical exposure occurred when the employee walked into the scope decontamination room where the empty rapicide pa solution bottle had been processed.It is unknown if the employee was wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (ppe).They reported experiencing symptoms including tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, and wheezing.The individual was treated with steroids and bronchodilators.They confirmed that the employee did not have lasting symptoms and they did not miss any time from work.It is a health and safety requirement for facilities to have a minimum of 10 air changes per hour in the reprocessing room to minimize staff exposure to chemical vapors.The rapicide pa labeling and sds also instruct users to avoid breathing fumes and to wear ppe when handling.The facility evaluated the ventilation in the room and reported that the room was ventilated properly.This complaint will continue being monitored in medivators complaint handling system.
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