Medical Response to Terrorism; Preparedness and Clinical Practice

Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005. First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. Very good. xiii, [1], 449, [1] pages. Illustrations. Diagrams. Tables. Figures. Questions and Answers. Resources (publications and websites). Index. Errata sheet laid in. Cover has slight wear and soiling. An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospital setting by directing emergency medical technicians and in the emergency department. The emergency physician provides immediate recognition, evaluation, care, stabilization and disposition of a generally diversified population of adult and pediatric patients in response to acute illness and injury. This comprehensive reference provides all the information emergency departments and personnel need to prepare for and respond to terrorist events. The first section covers all agents potentially used in terrorist attacks-chemical, biologic, toxicologic, nuclear, and explosive-in a systematic format that includes background, triage, decontamination, signs and symptoms, medical management, personnel protection, and guidelines for notifying public health networks. Algorithms show when to suspect and how to recognize exposure and detail signs and symptoms and management protocols. The second section focuses on all-hazards preparedness for hospitals, communities, emergency medical services, and the media, and includes an important chapter on simulation of disasters.