French Policies for Victim Management During Mass Radiological Accidents/Attacks. Issue 1 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Riccobono, Diane; Valente, Marco; Drouet, Michel; Calamai, Franck; Abriat, Amandine
• Is Part Of: Health physics. Volume 115:Issue 1(2018:Jul.)
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: operational topics -- academic guidelines -- decontamination -- emergency planning; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Health Physics -- periodicals; Radiation Protection -- periodicals; Radiotherapy -- periodicals; Medische fysica; Electronic journals; 612.01448
• DOI: 10.1097/HP.0000000000000839
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-9078

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: In the current international context, emergency medical services have to be prepared for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear events. Emergency response to radiological or nuclear events requires coordination between many components: the fire brigade, emergency medical services (including nurses and physicians), police, hospitals, etc. To optimize efficiency, victim management in France is governed by specific policies and planned responses. This plan for radiological/nuclear event response is inspired by military chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear victim management in the operational theatre and is based on extraction (removal to a safe environment), first triage, decontamination, second triage, treatment, substance identification, and training. It is also supported by specific equipment. Prehospital victim management in case of nuclear and radiological accident or attack will be described, as well as French-specific supplies. This response plan is constantly evolving due to the complexity of radiological and nuclear events.