Biological and chemical terrorism

Fred M. Henretig; Theodore J. Cieslak; Edward M. Eitzen

doi:10.1067/mpd.2002.127408

Biological and chemical terrorism

The Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1067/mpd.2002.127408 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 141 (3) ◽

pp. 311-326 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Fred M. Henretig ◽

Theodore J. Cieslak ◽

Edward M. Eitzen

Keyword(s):

Chemical Terrorism

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MDCH and planning for chemical terrorism

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e414102008-001 ◽

2002 ◽

Author(s):

Martha Stanbury

Keyword(s):

Chemical Terrorism

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Biological and Chemical Terrorism: Strategic Plan for Preparedness and Response: Recommendations of the CDC Strategic Planning Workgroup

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e548092006-001 ◽

2000 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Keyword(s):

Strategic Planning ◽

Strategic Plan ◽

Chemical Terrorism

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OP or Not OP: The Medical Challenge at the Chemical Terrorism Scene

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x00002375 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 155-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Amir Krivoy ◽

Ido Layish ◽

Eran Rotman ◽

Avi Goldberg ◽

Yoav Yehezkelli

Keyword(s):

Terrorist Attack ◽

Clinical Findings ◽

Weapons Of Mass Destruction ◽

Terrorist Attacks ◽

Industrial Chemicals ◽

Mass Destruction ◽

Toxic Agent ◽

Chemical Terrorism ◽

Cognitive Framework ◽

Medical Teams

AbstractSince the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack, terrorist attacks involving weapons of mass destruction or other industrial chemicals present worldwide security and health concerns. On-scene medical triage and treatment in such events is crucial to save as many lives as possible and minimize the deleterious effects of the toxic agent involved. Since there are many chemicals that can be used as potential terrorist weapons, the medical challenge for the emergency medical services (EMS) is a combination of: (1) recognizing that a chemical terrorist attack (non-conventional) has occurred; and (2) identifying the toxic agent followed by proper antidotal treatment. The latter must be done as quickly as possible, preferably on-scene. The most valuable decision at this stage should be whether the agent is organophosphate (OP) or not OP, based on clinical findings observed by pre-trained, first responders. This decision is crucial, since only OP intoxication has readily available, rapidly acting, onscene, specific agents such as atropine and one of the oximes, preferably administered using autoinjectors. Due to the lack of a specific antidote, exposure to other agents (such as industrial chemicals, e.g., chlorine, bromide, or ammonia) should be treated on-scene symptomatically with non-specific measures, such as decontamination and supportive treatment. This paper proposes an algorithm as a cognitive framework for the medical teams on-scene. This algorithm should be part of the medical team's training for preparedness for chemical terrorist attacks, and the team should be trained to use it in drills. Implementing this path of thinking should improve the medical outcome of such an event.

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