SHEET MEDICAL RESPONSE STRATEGY The 7 essential principles “Nuclear” covers anything that concerns the properties of the nuclei of atoms and radioactive materials. “Radiological” covers aspects concerning radiographic imaging techniques and events causing exposure to ionising radiation. The nuclear or radiological emergency response teams must be suitably trained and have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is appropriate for the risk and the intervention site. The exposure of responders is evaluated by personal monitoring using passive and active dosimeters and, if necessary, by bioassay measurements (in vivo analyses and in vivo measurements). SEE SHEETS 6 22 In prehospital situations, a nuclear or radiological medical emergency requires a specific response framework Irradiation results from exposure to ionising radiation: the radioactive source is situated outside the body and the radiation passes through the organism or part of it. The irradiation is said to be external. The person stops being irradiated once they are sufficiently far from the source. The person does not transport any radioactivity but suffers the effects caused by the radiation. The exposure must be confirmed and characterised, and its severity must be evaluated as quickly as possible. SEE SHEETS 5 11 The usual work dress of hospital personnel provides adequate protection: gown, gloves and surgical mask. SEE SHEETS 6 30 The risk of contamination being transferred from a decontaminated victim is negligible H IRRADIATION The radioactive substances or the ionising radiation emitter causing the exposure are/is situated outside the organism: • either at a distance from the body, leading to overall exposure of the organism; • or close to the body, leading to localised exposure. In both cases, we use the term irradiation. i An irradiated person does not irradiate others any more than a burned person burns others 01 MEDICAL RESPONSE IN NUCLEAR OR RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY 13
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