TY - JOUR
T1 - A primer for nuclear terrorism.
AU - Leikin, Jerrold B.
AU - McFee, Robin B.
AU - Walter, Frank G.
AU - Edsall, Keith
N1 - Funding Information:
Every hospital specialty will be involved, in one way or another, in treatment of patients with irradiation injuries. The nuclear health physicist is a key member of the emergency team. For advice from deep radiation specialists, contact REAC/TS, operated by the Department of Energy, at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which is the World Health Organization and International Atomic Energy Authority collaboration center. This center offers year-round 24-hour emergency service, and can be contacted by telephone (weekdays, 865-576-3131; weekends and after hours, 865-576-1005).
PY - 2003/8
Y1 - 2003/8
N2 - Mass exposure to radiologic substances presents a unique challenge to the entire response effort, which includes health care professionals, law enforcement personnel, and other first responders. Recognition of signs and symptoms of exposure, and focus on removal and decontamination are priorities of management. Radiation injuries require specialized equipment and access to experts. Patients can have complex patterns of injury, ranging from trauma and the immediate results of an explosion or exposure, to progressive damage associated with radiation sickness. Both conventional injury and radiation illness may require critical care management. Remembering the essentials of first response, that is, treat the patient, not the poison, by addressing the ABCs of airway, breathing, and circulation, is critical to appropriate treatment of radiation exposure. Understanding the basic science of radiologic agents will aid the provider in managing affected patients and preventing further casualties.
AB - Mass exposure to radiologic substances presents a unique challenge to the entire response effort, which includes health care professionals, law enforcement personnel, and other first responders. Recognition of signs and symptoms of exposure, and focus on removal and decontamination are priorities of management. Radiation injuries require specialized equipment and access to experts. Patients can have complex patterns of injury, ranging from trauma and the immediate results of an explosion or exposure, to progressive damage associated with radiation sickness. Both conventional injury and radiation illness may require critical care management. Remembering the essentials of first response, that is, treat the patient, not the poison, by addressing the ABCs of airway, breathing, and circulation, is critical to appropriate treatment of radiation exposure. Understanding the basic science of radiologic agents will aid the provider in managing affected patients and preventing further casualties.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0011-5029(03)00100-7
DO - 10.1016/S0011-5029(03)00100-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 12891217
AN - SCOPUS:0042978435
SN - 0011-5029
VL - 49
SP - 485
EP - 516
JO - Disease-a-month : DM
JF - Disease-a-month : DM
IS - 8
ER -