WMD Workshop Features Hands-On Training, Simulation of Bioterror Event

Newswise — To help anesthesiologists better understand hospital safety procedures during a chemical or biological attack, Paul D. Mongan, M.D., LTC Medical Corp, (United States Army), and associate professor, department of anesthesiology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, conducted a workshop on treating casualties from weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The workshop, held at the American Society of Anesthesiologists 2003 Annual Meeting, included hands-on training experience with equipment and the use of simulated patients sustaining chemical, biological, radiological and combined-agents injuries.

"The hospital and the skills of anesthesiologists play a major role in the preparation for and management of these disasters, ranging from policy and training of personnel to the management of triage, decontamination and medical care for patients involved in a WMD incident," Dr. Mongan said. "All hospitals need to plan, prepare and train for the possibility of terrorism attacks. Anesthesiologists play a unique role in this preparation based on their ability to function in the emergency management of injured patients and on their expert knowledge of the medical effects of chemical agents."

The WMD workshop had three 50-minute stations for anesthesiologists to: 1) receive hands-on experience with personal protective equipment, 2) perform patient decontamination of both "walking wounded" and "litter bound" patients, 3) medically manage patients exposed to WMD in an emergency room setting, critical care setting and the operating room, 4) gain hands-on experience with portable field equipment, and 5) learn the diagnostic workup and critical medical decisions for patients sustaining injuries from WMD.

A related interactive panel on bioterrorism was also conducted. In the panel, participants discussed how preparation and awareness are keys to providing the best patient care and how anesthesiologists can assume a leadership position in a bioterror crisis situation.

Also discussed was how anesthesiologists are uniquely prepared to lead in the treatment of patients affected by bioterrorism events due to their overall training and specialized training with neuromuscular reversal agents. These agents, which are used in normal daily anesthesia practices, are also used to treat people exposed to biological agents.

The panelists stressed that when a hospital is prepared to deal with a chemical disaster on a smaller scale such as a gas truck explosion, the hospital can more easily "ramp up" its efforts for a large-scale disaster.

The bioterrorism panelists also discussed chemical warfare and its history, nerve agents, pulmonary intoxicants, vesicants (blister-causing), cyanide and riot control agents. The medical aspects and treatment for biological threats also were presented along with how members of the clean-up HAZMAT team should avoid being the next casualty.

Paul D. Mongan, M.D., LTC assisted in the preparation of this news release.