title: Developing an emergency department based Special Operations Team: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital's experience.
abstract: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital initiated an emergency department based Special Operations Team as a way to help prepare staff for the care of hazardous material incidents (HAZMAT) victims and the unexpected consequences of a mass casualty incident. The team evolved over a period of 5 years and is now able to provide significant educational offerings, policy and procedure review and participation in extensive planning efforts in the hospital and community. This article will review the process and present future goals of the team.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA. kathy.zavotsky@rwjuh.edu
authors.forename: Kathleen Evanovich
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Zavotsky
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valendo
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Torres
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003666:Decontamination; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration; D008499:Medical Records; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009515:New Jersey; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D014193:Trauma Centers
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances