A new handbook on triage, monitoring and treatment of people following malevolent use of radiation.
Through the Euratom 6 Framework Programme, the European Commission is co-sponsoring the specific targeted research project "Triage, Monitoring and Treatment-Handbook for management of the public in the event of malevolent use of radiation" (TMT Handbook). The main aim of the project is to produce a handbook for the effective and timely triage, monitoring, and treatment of people exposed to radiation following a malevolent act. The World Health Organization contributed to this project with development of guidelines on medical and public health response. A training course based on the TMT Handbook was developed. It will help to enhance national capacity for planning and response to acts involving the malevolent use of radiation. The course will also provide a platform to identify common challenges and discuss opportunities for harmonizing response strategies throughout the European Union. Focusing on its medical and public health response aspects, this paper introduces the TMT Handbook and its potential applicability not only as practical guidance for end-users but also as a useful tool for education and training.
del Rosario Pérez
Maria
M
World Health Organization, Public Health and Environment, Geneva-27, Switzerland. perezm@who.int
Carr
Zhanat
Z
Rojas-Palma
Carlos
C
van der Meer
Klaus
K
Smith
Karen
K
Rahola
Tua
T
Muikku
Maarit
M
Liland
Astrid
A
Jaworska
Alicja
A
Jerstad
Anne
A
D004189:Disaster Planning; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods; D023481:Terrorism; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods*; D014944:World Health Organization