Medical Response to Mass Casualties

Purpose

The purpose of this interactive self-study training is to provide clinician education on local medical response to mass casualties during the immediate aftermath of a radiological or nuclear terrorism incident.

Emergency medical services responding assisting person lying on a cot on the floor inside a community reception center.

Overview

This program has two parts: 1) a series of six 5-to-20-minute lectures on potential radiological and nuclear incidents, emergency response planning, mass decontamination principles, triage, treatment and pharmacotherapy, and 2) a series of six simulated patient case studies designed to provide an opportunity to apply the lecture material. Each of the six studies depicts a hypothetical radiological terrorism incident. Supplemental literature and Web-based training resources are also provided. The program takes approximately 2 hours to complete. The learner can stop and start the program at their convenience.

Target audience

The program is designed for physicians and nurses working in emergency services in hospital first receiver settings.

Prerequisites

Introductory training in radiological emergency preparedness is recommended as a prerequisite. CDC's Radiation Emergencies website provides sources of introductory information.