Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
do triage in emergency departments are in a
unique position to detect a possible or chemical
attack. They must be knowledgeable of signs and
symptoms of exposure and initiate an immediate
response to prevent delay in intervention.
Education is the key to defense against bioter-
rorism and nurses need to be educated in biological
and chemical emergency management. Appropriate
content for education includes the following [8]:
Are there enough supplies on had in case of a
disaster or what is the mechanism for delivery
if needed?
•
Are there agreements with nearby facilities to
support your institution in case of a disaster?
•
Are you prepared to deal with WMD?
•
Do you know how to activate your hospital's
emergency management plan?
•
Special populations who are vulnerable to bioter-
rorist attacks include children, the elderly, preg-
nant women, those who are immunocompromised
as well as health care professionals who care for
the patients. Surveillance systems can detect and
monitor the course of an outbreak and decrease
morbidity and mortality.
In the case of a large-scale bioterrorist exposure,
health care professionals will have to treat as many
victims as possible and care will be based on the
greatest good for the most number of people in the
shortest period. This will be done within a dynamic
triage process that is constantly changing based on
victim status and available resources.
A large-scale disaster may require the assistance
of outside resources and non-hospital facilities to
become mass care center based on an incident
command system. Part of this expanded response
will include hospice care with an emphasis on
symptom management and pain control. An inci-
dent involving exposure to a biological or chemical
agent will have psychological as well as phys-
ical effects on everyone and failure to identify
those at risk for an acute stress disorder may result
in a complicated and prolonged recovery. Being
aware of potential symptoms and early referral
for follow-up services may make a difference in
prevention of PTSD.
awareness of major biological and chemical
agents
•
technical skills related to clinical patient care,
triage, decontamination and treatment
•
incident command system
•
understanding bioterrorism surveillance and
response systems
•
collaboration with other agencies
•
flexibility to work under chaotic and changing
conditions
•
•
teamwork and the ability to work effectively
under stress
•
current therapeutic modalities and the national
pharmaceutical stockpile
•
management of psychosocial issues during a
mass disaster
•
HAZMAT incidents
personnel protective equipment
•
Disaster awareness and preparation is an essen-
tial component and hospitals must take an active
role in development of formal plans. Nurses must
examine their own preparedness with regard to a
disaster response and potential problems that might
affect the ability to respond. They should be able
to answer the following questions [9]:
References
1. Emergency Nurses Association Position Statement
on Weapons of Mass Destruction, 2002.
2. Frederick Burkle. Mass casualty management of
a large scale bioterrorist event: an epidemio-
logical approach that shapes triage decisions.
Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America
,
20:409-436, 2002.
•
What are the natural disaster risks in your area?
•
Are there seasonal challenges?
•
Is there a plan for disruption of utilities at your
facility?
Is there a backup communication system?
•
If the hospital was disable is there a plan to
deal with the situation?
•
