CBRN Event - Do We Need Medical Intelligence

Abstract

Nowadays the risk level for Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) events raises globally. The industrialization is leading to establishing of thousands plants, where toxic industrial materials are used into the processes or are end products. Radioactive materials are widely used into different industries, while biological and geno-modified products are found all over world. The increased use requires proper and diligent transportation and storage. If any of these processes is jeopardized a CBRN event could occur. Another grim scenario, unfortunately, present into modern world war conflicts is the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction – Iran-Iraq War, Gulf War, War in Yugoslavia, Syria etc. The aim of this study is to analyse the hospital staff awareness regarding the need of focused medical intelligence in case of CBRN event. Material and methods: By the means of descriptive and comparative methods the records from diverse CBRN events’ medical support and hospitals involvement into the process are analysed in order to highlight the significance of the promptly, adequate and timely performed medical intelligence for assuring the medical support success. Dichotomous survey among 54 medical professionals was performed in order to discover their awareness regarding medical intelligence performance in case of CBRN event. Results and discussion: Great majority of the inquired hospital staff completely ignores the medical intelligence as first step in case of CBRN event that endangers both medical staff and casualties. Conclusion: Medical Intelligence has to be taught in greatest details during medical managers’ education.