Ensuring the safety of surgical teams when managing casualties of a radiological dirty bomb.
The capacity for surgical teams to ensure their own safety when dealing with the consequences caused by the detonation of a radiological dirty bomb is primarily determined by prior knowledge, familiarity and training for this type of event. This review article defines the associated radiological terminology with an emphasis on the personal safety of surgical team members in respect to the principles of radiological protection. The article also describes a technique for use of hand held radiation monitors and will discuss the identification and management of radiologically contaminated patients who may pose a significant danger to the surgical team.
Williams
Geraint
G
University Hospital (Walsgrave Site) Clifford Bridge Road Coventry, CV2 2DX, United Kingdom. aandg2@hotmail.com
O'Malley
Michael
M
Nocera
Antony
A
D054042:Bombs; D003666:Decontamination; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D023481:Terrorism