New Radiological Tool Kits Available from CDC

Using audience research that identified significant knowledge gaps and under-developed skills affecting the ability of clinical and public health professionals to respond to radiological emergencies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has produced two new radiological tool kits to address both of these problems. One tool kit is specifically designed for use by physicians, nurses, and emergency-services personnel; the other is designed for use by public health officials. Each of the CDC tool kits includes a variety of education and training materials. 

“Just-in-Time training is one of our key DVDs in the clinician kit,” said Charles W. Miller, chief of the Radiation Studies Branch of CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health, “ … [and serves as] a critical component for educating physicians and nurses.” The 17-minute DVD, which covers key radiation principles and procedures, includes application demonstrations in several patient-care scenarios that take place within an emergency-service setting.

Clinicians in hospital emergency areas would serve as the first receivers of casualties from a radiological event. Others – e.g., physicians, nurses, laboratory personnel – would report to hospitals in order to assist following a radiological event. At the same time, the public health work force would be called upon both to protect the health of the local community and to allay the public’s fear of radiation. Because of the multitude of issues involved in disaster and mass-casualty management situations – particularly those unique to dealing with radiation exposure and contamination – pre-event education and training are imperative for hospital and public health personnel.

A specific example of the materials available in the public health tool kit is a planners’ guide on population monitoring. That guide sets forth the process of identifying, screening, and monitoring those people who were (or might have been) exposed to radiation or contamination from radioactive materials. The guide also presents an introduction to population monitoring for public health officials and emergency preparedness planners at both the state and local levels. These materials are currently available, and are free of charge.

For Additional Information:

Current clinician training tool kit materials

Current public health training materials

To order tool kits: email cdcinfo@cdc.gov, providing specific information on the materials needed.  Following are some additional resources for education and training:

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Radiation Event Medical Management

The Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI

Judith L. Kanne

Judith (Judi) L. Kanne has worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a nurse/health educator/health communication specialist under varied contracts since the early 1990s. She also has worked as a medical writer/editor and as creator of a number of public health presentations and other educational materials. She uses her degrees in nursing and journalism to provide readers with clinically credible health information in an easy-to-understand format. Since 2001, she has focused primarily on emergency communications, and recently worked with CDC’s Radiation Studies Branch on clinician-related educational products.

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