Introduction

Medical Response to WMD Medical Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction

If a weapon of mass destruction event involving chemical and/or biological agents were to occur today, there would be widespread death and disease and a potential breakdown of the societal framework. Chaos would abound, as law enforcement officials would be hard-pressed to control the incident scene, not-to-mention the rest of the community. Fear and panic would spread through the community, as people try to escape the invisible attacker. First responders arrive not recognizing the attacker and without protective equipment would become casualties themselves. A hazardous materials team (HAZMAT) would arrive with some protective equipment, but would not able to detect the attacker. Patients would arrive to area hospitals without treatment or decontamination. The hospital staff does not recognize the need to decontaminate the patients or control access to their facility; members of the hospital staff begin to show signs and symptoms similar to those arriving. The remaining hospital staff has no training or minimal knowledge of the medical management criteria for the chemical and/or biological patients. The health care system becomes overwhelmed and eventually collapses as patients begin to worsen and ultimately die.

The Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) and the National Disaster Medical Systems (NDMS) were initiated to augment the local health care community and prevent overwhelming the medical system. Additionally, the health care systems must implement an incident and patient management strategy. It should begin by training the first responders on event recognition, activation of the response plan, and management of the incident scene. First responders also need training in chemical and biological patient triage, management of patient decontamination, and emergency medical treatment. Health Care Facility staff needs training on facility and staff preparation, chemical and biological patient triage and treatment. With the combined effort of these elements, our health care system should be well equipped to manage the looming weapon of mass destruction event.