Scenario:

An Embedded Particle

After vigorous washing and careful debridement, the contamination is still fixed. The X-Ray of the area does not show any foreign bodies. The hand still has 3000 counts per minute of contamination within the wound. Your choices are:

• Ignore the contamination, suture the wound and send the patient home.
• Continue to debride the area, taking viable tissue until the contamination is completely removed. Then close the wound.
• Consult with a health physicist and determine the remaining activity of the contamination. Delay closure (approx 6 hours) until results are calculated.