Hospital Response to Radiological Events – Part I

1. Hospital Response to Radiological Events – Part I

2. Objectives • Identify types of radiological incidents • Describe hazards and risks to hospital personnel from radiological events

3. Radiological and Nuclear Devices • Simple radiological device • Radiological dispersal device • Reactor • Improvised nuclear device • Nuclear weapon

4. Impacts of Radiological Events What is your risk of exposure or contamination while doing your duties? • Simple exposure - for any reason • Contaminated patient - for any reason • Radiation dispersal (“Dirty bomb”) event • Nuclear detonation

5. Simple Exposure • Patient(s) likely to be ambulatory and worried • Not likely to present any radiation injury • Extreme case: Acute Radiation Syndrome • No transferable contamination • No radiation from patient or belongings • Extreme case: Materials with high neutron exposure might be radioactive • No risk to care providers

6. Contaminated Patient • May have transferable contamination • Patient, their clothes, and personal effects • Transport vehicle • ED and other facilities • Internal contamination is risk to patient • Some radiation from patient and/or belongings • Extreme case: High radiation source on/in patient • Risk is relatively low to care providers

7. The “Dirty Bomb” Event • Mass casualty incident • Many patients, varying types of injuries • Likely to include trauma • Self-referral and unusual transport means • Some will have transferable contamination • Risk is still low to moderate, but prolonged • Higher risk of secondary contamination

8. The “Nuke” Event • Not a likely scenario • Impact and response will be nationwide • Possible damages to your facility/personnel • May require evacuation of hospital • Your staff traumatized • Radiation risk is secondary • Other aspects of treatment take priority

9. Mass Casualty Incident Disaster Planning Lessons Learned • Hospitals provide most of the initial care • High risk of secondary contamination • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required • Disaster planning must address intentional CBRNE attack • Maximize use of existing resources

10. Key Points • Risk is low to EMS and hospital staff • But watch for secondary contamination • Prepare for radiological events using all hazards approach