Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear preparedness training for emergency medical services providers

Abstract

Objective:We assessed the self-reported theoretical and practical preparedness training of Canadian emergency medical services (EMS) providers in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) events. Methods: We designed an online survey to address the theoretical and practical CBRN training level of prehospital providers. Emergency medical services staff in British Columbia and Ontario were invited to participate. Results: Of the 1028 respondents, 75% were male, and the largest demographic groups were front-line personnel with more than 15 years of experience. Only 63% of respondents indicated they had received either theoretical or practical training to work in a contaminated environment, leaving 37% who indicated they had received neither type of training. Of those that had received any training, 61% indicated they had received "hands-on" or practical training and 82% indicated they had received some training in identification of a possibly contaminated scene. Only 42% had received training for symptoms of nerve agents, 37% had received training for symptoms of blister agents and 46% had received training for symptoms of asphyxiants. Thirty-two percent had received training for the treatment of patients exposed to nerve agents, and 30% had received training for the treatment of patients exposed to blister agents. Only 31% of all respondents had received training for detecting radiation. Conclusion: CBRN events involve unique hazards and require specific education and training for EMS providers. A large proportion of Canadian EMS providers report not having received the training to identify and work in contaminated environments. RÉSUMÉObjectif : Nous avons évalué le degré de préparation théorique et pratique autodéclarée par le personnel des services médicaux d'urgence au Canada en cas de menaces chimiques, biologiques, radiologiques et nucléaires (CBRN). Méthodes : Nous avons conçu un questionnaire administré en ligne pour mesurer le degré de préparation théorique et pratique du personnel des services préhospitaliers en cas de menaces CBRN. Le personnel des services médicaux d'urgence de la Colombie-Britannique et de l'Ontario a été invité à y répondre. Résultats : Parmi les 1028 répondants, 75 % étaient de sexe masculin et les groupes démographiques les plus volumineux se composaient de personnel de première ligne cumulant plus de 15 années d'expérience. Soixante-trois pour cent seulement des répondants ont mentionné avoir reçu une formation théorique ou pratique pour travailler dans un milieu contaminé, les 37 % restants ayant signalé n'avoir reçu ni l'une ni l'autre. Parmi ceux qui avaient reçu un type de formation, 61 % ont indiqué avoir reçu une formation pratique ou concrète et 82 % ont indiqué avoir reçu un type de formation pour la reconnaissance d'une zone potentiellement contaminée. Seulement 42 % avaient reçu une formation relative aux symptômes occasionnés par les agents neurotoxiques, 37 %, pour les symptômes occasionnés par les agents vésicants, et 46 %, pour les symptômes occasionnés pa...

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