Author:
Levitin Howard W.,Siegelson Henry J.,Dickinson Stanley,Halpern Pinchas,Haraguchi Yoshikura,Nocera Anthony,Turineck David
Abstract
AbstractThe events of 11 September 2001 became the catalyst for many to shift their disaster preparedness efforts towards mass-casualty incidents. Emergency responders, healthcare workers, emergency managers, and public health officials worldwide are being tasked to improve their readiness by acquiring equipment, providing training and implementing policy, especially in the area of mass-casualty decontamination. Accomplishing each of these tasks requires good information, which is lacking. Management of the incident scene and the approach to victim care varies throughout the world and is based more on dogma than scientific data. In order to plan effectively for and to manage a chemical, mass-casualty event, we must critically assess the criteria upon which we base our response.This paper reviews current standards surrounding the response to a release of hazardous materials that results in massive numbers of exposed human survivors. In addition, a significant effort is made to prepare an international perspective on this response.Preparations for the 24-hour threat of exposure of a community to hazardous material are a community responsibility for first-responders and the hospital. Preparations for a mass-casualty event related to a terrorist attack are a governmental responsibility. Reshaping response protocols and decontamination needs on the differences between vapor and liquid chemical threats can enable local responders to effectively manage a chemical attack resulting in mass casualties. Ensuring that hospitals have adequate resources and training to mount an effective decontamination response in a rapid manner is essential.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Emergency Nursing,Emergency Medicine
Reference34 articles.
1. 11 November 1979—A day to remember: The Mississauga Disaster;Gibson;Can J Hosp Pharm,1980
2. A case of fatal sarin poisoning: Management problems;Kon;Japan J Disast Med,1996
3. 27. Siegelson H : Preparing for terrorism and hazardous materials exposures: It's a matter of worker safety. Health Forum Journal American Hospital Association. January 2000.
Cited by
41 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献