Management of irradiated and contaminated casualty victims.
This article attempts to put into perspective the serious concerns regarding a radiation accident and to provide guidelines for the management of casualties arising from a radiation accident. It is intended primarily for the medical facility that does not have a specific requirement for a radiation accident treatment capability but wishes to be prepared should it be called upon to respond. A review of radiation effects is provided as well as guidelines for the management of irradiated or contaminated casualties. Psychological, public relations, and training concerns are also addressed.
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000375:Aging / Q000528:radiation effects; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000528:radiation effects; D003666:Decontamination; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D009686:Nuclear Physics; D009688:Nuclear Reactors / Q000592:standards*; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000193:education; D011210:Power Plants; D011379:Prognosis; D011641:Public Relations; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000592:standards; D012306:Risk; D014481:United States