Disaster training for prehospital providers.
OBJECTIVE
To survey prehospital providers to determine 1) the quantity and format of training recalled over the past year in chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear (CBRN), and other mass casualty events (MCEs); 2) preferred educational formats; 3) self-assessed preparedness for various CBRN/MCEs; and 4) perceived likelihood of occurrence for CBRN/MCEs.


METHODS
A survey, consisting of 11 questions, was distributed to 1,010 prehospital providers in a system where no formal CBRN/mass casualty training was given.


RESULTS
Surveys were completed by 640 (63%) prehospital providers. Twenty-two percent (22%) of prehospital providers recalled no training within the past year for CBRN or other MCEs, 19% reported 1-5 hours, 15% reported 6-10 hours, 24% reported 11-39 hours, and 7% reported receiving greater than 40 hours. Lectures and drills were the most common formats for prior education. On a five-point scale (1: "Never Helpful" through 5: "Always Helpful") regarding the helpfulness of training methods, median scores were the following: drills-5, lectures-4, self-study packets-3, Web-based learning-3, and other-4. On another five-point scale (1: "Totally Unprepared" through 5: "Strongly Prepared"), prehospital providers felt most prepared for MCEs-4, followed by chemical-4, biological-3, and radiation/nuclear-3. Over half (61%) felt MCEs were "Somewhat Likely" or "Very Likely" to occur, whereas chemical (42%), biological (38%), or radiation/nuclear (33%) rated lower.


CONCLUSIONS
The amount of training in the past year reported for CBRN events varied greatly, with almost a quarter recalling no education. Drills and lectures were the most used and preferred formats for disaster training. Prehospital providers felt least prepared for a radiological;/nuclear event. Future studies should focus on the consistency and quality of education provided.
Chaput
Christine J
CJ
Department of Emergency Medical Services, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA. cchaput@lumc.edu
Deluhery
Matthew R
MR
Stake
Christine E
CE
Martens
Katherine A
KA
Cichon
Mark E
ME
D003625:Data Collection; D054597:Disaster Medicine / Q000193:education*; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D054527:Mass Casualty Incidents; D015146:Midwestern United States