title: Radiation injury treatment network (RITN): healthcare professionals preparing for a mass casualty radiological or nuclear incident.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the history, composition, and activities of the Radiation Injury Treatment Network (RITN). The Radiation Injury Treatment Network® is a cooperative effort of the National Marrow Donor Program and the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. The goals of RITN are to educate hematologists, oncologists, and stem cell transplant practitioners about their potential involvement in the response to a radiation incident and provide treatment expertise. Injuries to the marrow system readily occur when a victim is exposed to ionising radiation. This focus therefore leverages the expertise of these specialists who are accustomed to providing the intensive supportive care required by patients with a suppressed marrow function. Following a radiological incident, RITN centres may be asked to: Accept patient transfers to their institutions; provide treatment expertise to practitioners caring for victims at other centres; travel to other centres to provide medical expertise; or provide data on victims treated at their centres. Moving forward, it is crucial that we develop a coordinated interdisciplinary approach in planning for and responding to radiological and nuclear incidents. The ongoing efforts of radiation biologists, radiation oncologists, and health physicists can and should complement the efforts of RITN and government agencies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RITN serves as a vital partner in preparedness and response efforts for potential radiological and nuclear incidents.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cellular Therapy, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Joel R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Cullen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Case
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Confer
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Weisdorf
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weinstock
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krawisz
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chute
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilhauk
authors.forename: Willis
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hartzman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Norman Coleman
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hatchett
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D054527:Mass Casualty Incidents / Q000517:prevention & control; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D014481:United States