Radiation injury treatment network®: A model for medical preparedness for a mass casualty radiation incident

Abstract

The threat of a possible radiological disaster resulting in mass casualties continues to be on the forefront of emergency planners minds. The medical community will undoubtedly be taxed by the resulting medical surge. The United States has a well-defined emergency medical system to respond to such incidents, the National Disaster Medical System, however one area that is unique for radiological disasters is the care for casualties with Acute Radiation Syndrome. Hematologists and Oncologists purposefully expose their cancer patients to high doses of radiation as they treat their patient’s cancer; resulting in symptoms identical to casualties from a radiological disaster or terrorist attack. This makes the staff from cancer centers ideal for the specialized care that will be required for thousands of casualties following a mass casualty radiological incident.