s96 Abstracts - 16th World Congress on and Emergency Medicine

Assessment of Preparedness of the Strengthening International Preparedness and Emergency Medical Services in Bogota, Colombia: A Response for Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies: Mixed-Methods Analysis Role for the Connecticut Radiological Emergency Sandra I. Castelblanco Betancourt;1 Ayan Sen,-2 Response Biodosimetry Laboratory Graham Marsh3 James L. Paturas;1 Nicholas Dainiak,-2 Joseph Albanese? 3 1. District Health Secretariat, Risk Management Office, Bogota, Stewart Smith Colombia 1. Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, Connecticut USA 2. Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, 2. Bridgeport Hospital, Yale New Haven Health System, Bridgeport, Michigan USA Connecticut USA 3. Department of Disaster Management Studies, Coventry University, 3. Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Coventry UK Response, New Haven, Connecticut USA

Background: Bogota, the capital of Colombia, is perpetu- Introduction: Contingency planning is essential to miti- ally under the threat of a major earthquake that could over- gate the consequences of accidental or terrorist-related whelm the response capacity of the local emergency medical radiological incidents. Accordingly, international organiza- services (EMS). This study is an attempt to assess the cur- tions, including the World Health Organization (WHO) rent level of medical earthquake preparedness of EMS, and and International Atomic Energy Agency sponsored a conclusions and recommendations that have the potential series of International Convention Exercises (ConvEx) to to improve planning in this South assess the worldwide ability to assist an affected nation, and American country. facilitated international meetings (e.g., BioDoseNet) to Methods: A mixed-methods approach using qualitative and establish a global laboratory network for biodosimetry. The quantitative paradigms was used to collaborate data. participation of the Connecticut Radiological Emergency Questionnaires and checklists were designed to gather Response Biodosimetry Laboratory (CT-RERBL) in information from the search-and-rescue services, EMS, ConvEx-3 and BioDoseNet 2008 is described. hospitals, and the District Health Secretariat Emergencies Methods: The CT-RERBL participated in ConvEx-3 as a and Office. The checklists were developed in con- Level-B contributor. Information exchange among inter- sultation with experts from the Kandilli Observatory and national organizations and the CT-RERBL was accom- st Earthquake Research Institute, the US Department of plished via e-mail. The 1 Coordination Meeting of the Health and Human Services, and the Israeli Trauma WHO BioDoseNet was held in September 2008, to ascer- Society. Descriptive content analysis of existing emergency tain tasks and criteria required to establish a global network plans/protocols and ethnographic observations of prepared- of biodosimetry laboratories that support management and ness drills and meetings ensured a rich qualitative under- decision making in cases of large radiation emergencies. standing of the lacunae that subsequently were compiled. Results: Seventy-five countries participated in ConvEx-3. Results: Inter-organizational communication, training, The CT-RERBL provided input toward the development coordination, transportation plans, and resource allocation of a consensus approach regarding the medical manage- were diagnosed as deficient in EMS preparedness for an ment of contaminated and radiation over-exposed victims. earthquake. Search-and-rescue services, hospitals, and Representatives from 28 countries attended the BioDosNet ambulance services fared equally poorly in all the criteria conference in New Hampshire. Seven Task Groups were assessed. Disaster education and training were considered formed to address seven areas essential for the development at a critical level, and needed urgent attention. of a global Biodosimetry Laboratory Network. As part of Conclusions: This study formulated the Bogota Medical Task Group 7, the CT-RERBL will establish patient selec- Earthquake Plan to enable a better response should an tion criteria for biodosimetry assessment. earthquake occur in Bogota, Colombia. Conclusions: The participation of CT-RERBL in interna- Keywords: assessment; Colombia; earthquake; emergency medical tional planning initiatives for radiological catastrophes will help services; preparedness bolster international efforts to establish common concepts, Prchosf Duast Mid 2009;24(2):s96 expectations, and provisions for a coordinated global response of relevant organizations during a radiological emergency. Keywords: Connecticut Radiological Emergency Response Biodosimetry Laboratory, disaster health; disaster management, emergency, nuclear emergency, preparedness; radiological emergency Prebotf Disast Mtd 2009;24(2):s96

Prehospital and http://pdm.medicine.wisc.edu Vol. 24, Supplement 1 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. IP address: 170.106.33.14, on 29 Sep 2021 at 03:36:39, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X00055345