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Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A guide for Victorian hospitals

Summary

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.

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Owner:
Quality and Safety Unit,
Quality, Safety and Patient Experience,
Hospital and Health Service Performance,
Department of Health
50 Lonsdale Street,
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Telephone: (61 3) 9096 9000