How long should an EMT flush a patient's skin after contact with a toxin?

The appropriate duration for flushing a patient's skin after contact with a toxin is at least 20 minutes. This recommendation is based on the need to thoroughly remove any toxic substances from the skin to prevent further absorption and reduce the risk of adverse effects. A flush time of 20 minutes is considered sufficient to ensure that irritants and harmful chemicals are effectively rinsed off, helping to minimize damage and improve the patient's condition.

While shorter flush times, such as 5 or 10 minutes, may remove some of the toxin, they are generally not considered adequate for more effective decontamination, especially for certain chemicals that can cause significant harm. A duration of 15 minutes may be better than shorter times, but it still does not meet the recommended guideline to address all potential risks associated with toxin exposure. Thus, 20 minutes is the preferred standard for effectively managing skin exposure to harmful substances.