The Medical Basis for Radiation-Accident Preparedness

Book excerpt: Major radiation accidents cause widespread and common psychosocial problems independent of cultural, ethnic, political, and socioeconomic aspects of the location of the accident. As a doctor, nurse, or emergency room staff you are the first line of defense when these accidents happen. New developments over the past several years enable physicians to enhance survival and ease the discomfort of patients injured by radiation. The Medical Basis for Radiation-Accident Preparedness: The Clinical Care of Victims presents the current state-of-the-art in radiation medicine and focuses on the practical issues of importance to the clinicians and nurses who have responsibility for diagnosing, treating, and caring for the radiation-accident patient. Topics range from dose assessment to socioeconomic considerations, with extensive analyses of treatment options for exposure to different parts of the body. As a special feature, the work supplies case histories of six recent significant radiological accidents and also includes bibliographic references and index. You don't know when you may be involved in treating radiation-accident patients. In today's uncertain world, it could happen at any time. Drawing on the expertise of a wide variety of contributors, both within and outside of the field of radiation management, The Medical Basis for Radiation-Accident Preparedness: The Clinical Care of Victims provides further insight into the complex care and teamwork needed in the management of the acutely injured patient.