Michellina Van Loder
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Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a debilitating condition described as serious physical symptoms initiated by chemical exposure. Since there are no diagnostic or clinical guidelines for MCS in Australia, it is possible that some chemically hypersensitive individuals have symptoms more aligned with MCS.
Patients with an MCS condition may suffer from a variety of physical symptoms as a result of exposure to chemicals. The physical symptoms are likely to undermine patient treatment whilst in hospital, affecting recovery, health outcomes and wellbeing.
The chemicals or incitants (agents that produce clinical symptoms) vary considerably and are often found in hospital environments. These incitants may be in food and drink normally provided to in-patients and/or may include hospital cleaning and disinfectant products, as well personal products such as perfumes or hair care. The hospital stay of patients with MCS is ideally planned with hospital administration prior to admission and managed by health professional staff on an individual, case-by-case basis.
The purpose of this MCS Guide is to provide guidance and raise awareness of the need for hospitals to develop local policies/guidelines; it is not provided as a definitive MCS text or to argue the aetiology of the condition.
Hospital Guidelines for people with chemical hypersensitivity, or Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
"[These MCS Guidelines] are designed to help hospital administrators and health professionals to best respond to the needs of people with MCS requiring hospital treatment thus ensuring access to effective, quality care and improved patient health outcomes. Meeting the environmental needs of people with MCS who require medical or surgical treatment in hospital is likely to reduce length of hospital stay and improve individual health outcomes."
"Part 3 of the Guide provides a checklist of the likelihood of low-level atmosphere contaminates within the building environment, with the objective to minimising contaminate exposure levels to persons with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) so they are not undeservedly affected. (NOTE: A recent survey by the Department of Health that assessed the prevalence of MCS and chemical sensitivity in the South Australian community found 1% had been medically diagnosed with MCS and 16% reported chemical sensitivity)."
Michellina is professional writer, author, web designer and photographer. She has just completed a Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing at Victoria University; and is about to embark on a sp...
