Abstract
Background: Hazardous Materials and Chemical/Biological/Radiological/Nuclear (HazMat-CBRN) incidents represent a serious threat to the population and the environment. They require a pre-hospital medical response system well equipped and supported with logistics and clinicians with appropriate knowledge and skills to prevent exposure and mitigate risks. Our aim is to determine if the Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service (HMCAS) fulfils the pre-hospital readiness requirements for such incidents. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in HMCAS. An online survey assessed staff behaviour and knowledge in relation to HazMat-CBRN incidents. Responses were obtained on health risks and pre-hospital medical management of related threats in Qatar. Based on the results, a training module “HazMat Incident Management” was prepared with pre-/post-activity assessments. The results were explored using a multivariate linear regression and non-parametric Wilcoxon test for paired samples. Specialized Emergency Management (SEM) staff opinion about this training was assessed through an online survey. Both surveys’ validity and reliability tests were conducted. Ishikawa cause and effects diagram was built for the identification of the factors leading to a pre-hospital successful response to HazMat-CBRN incidents. Results: HMCAS has the proper logistics and plans to manage potential HazMat-CBRN incidents. The knowledge survey demonstrated that the pre-hospital medical staff information about this topic needs reinforcement. The multivariate linear regression ()and non-parametric Wilcoxon test () demonstrated that this was obtained thanks to the implemented training module. The course satisfaction survey showed not only a big interest in this activity but also staff recommended more related topics. Earlier-RSDAT (Recognition, Safety, Decontamination, Antidot, Transport) is a tool proposed as a response acronym to build a successful risk-based response for HazMat CBRN incidents in pre-hospital setting. Conclusion: HMCAS fulfills the readiness requirements for safe and effective response to potential HazMat-CBRN incidents in Qatar. The RSDAT response matrix might help in mitigating pre-hospital response risks.
Highlights
Background: Hazardous Materials and Chemical/Biological/Radiological/Nuclear (HazMat-CBRN) incidents represent a serious threat to the population and the environment1
Our aim is to determine if the Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service (HMCAS) fulfils the pre-hospital readiness requirements for such incidents
Responses were obtained on health risks and pre-hospital medical management of related threats in Qatar
Summary
Single copies of full items can be reproduced, displayed or performed, and given to third parties in any format or medium for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge, provided the authors, title and full bibliographic details are given, as well as a hyperlink and/or URL to the original metadata page. Full items must not be sold commercially in any format or medium without formal permission of the copyright holder. The full policy is available online: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/policies.html. This document may differ from the final, published version of the research and has been made available online in accordance with publisher policies.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call