Final Issues - Summary
The following slides will summarize some of the salient take home messages of the various areas of response to a terrorist incident in this program.
| Prehospital | |
1. |
Ensure that EMS is integrated into the community response plan and is part of the incident command structure. |
2. |
Depending on the plan and the role for healthcare provision on the scene, ensure appropriate PPE training and treatment algorithms are in place and practiced frequently. |
3. |
Evaluate the communication structure. Ensure that field to hospital notification procedures are in place and that there is a plan for redundancy. |
4. |
Ensure that mutual aid resources are integrated into the system. a. Incident Command/Management System utilized b. Routine 9-1-1 call handling |
| Hospital | |
1. |
Ensure that healthcare facilities become integrated into the community planning processes. |
2. |
Review the community response plan to ensure that all healthcare facilities are included. |
3. |
Review and update the hospital disaster response plan to ensure that plans are put in place for a mass casualty contaminated incident involving ambulatory and nonambulatory patients. Ensure that all hospital departments are involved in the plan. |
4. |
Evaluate the existing physical structure to ensure that mass contaminated casualties can be safely and expeditiously addressed. Develop mutual aid agreements to assist when required. |
5. |
Ensure that all front-line hospital physicians, nurses, and technicians are appropriately trained in PPE and that plans for continuing education and exercises are conducted frequently. |
6. |
Ensure that hospital staff recognize clinical signs and symptoms of patients exposed to nuclear, biological, or chemical agents. |
| Public Health | |
| 1. | Include updated contact information of public health department officials and participate in the disease reporting process. |
2. |
Development of active surveillance programs will assist in recognizing when occult incidents have taken place. |
3. |
Develop plans for mass patient care: a. Immunization b. Sheltering c. Quarantining |
4. |
Ensure that communities are prepared to request and handle the additional requested State or Federal resources, including the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile. |
While this program is not meant to cover the breadth and scope of knowledge it is hoped to begin a solid awareness of the unique aspects and decision-making which may need to be called upon in a terrorist incident requiring a emergency medical response.
