by Mallory Powell
(Sept. 19, 2014) —In recent years there has been growing concern that terrorist threats could involve "agents of opportunity," or materials that are readily available in most communities around the country. An upcoming course, "REAC/TS Training: Radiation Emergency Response - Are You Prepared?" will train public health personnel, emergency management folks, physicians, nurses, and other workers involved with radiological hazards in how to respond to such incidents. The course will be held 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10, at the UK Chandler Hospital Pavilion A Auditorium. It is provided by the Central Appalachian Regional Education and Research Center (CARERC) in the UK College of Public Health and has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.
The course will review the fundamentals of radiation physics, radiation detection/measurement/identification, prevention of the spread of contamination, how to minimize radiation dose to victims and providers, and the role of medical/health physicists in caring for contaminated patients. Other topics include early evaluation and treatment of the acute radiation syndrome (ARS), acute local injuries, cutaneous and combined injuries, and the psychological consequences of exposures.
It also provides an introduction to common sources of ionizing radiation, radiological/nuclear terrorism and hospital preparedness and is recommended not only for practicing nursing and medical communities, but also for medical students, physician assistant students, and nursing students to ensure that these soon-to-be graduated practitioners have adequate basic training in recognizing and managing such incidents. Early basic training in graduate health sciences education will ultimately reduce costs, maximize fund of knowledge at an early stage of development and promote direct application to real-world medicine, thus, benefiting 21st Century health care.
Faculty for the course include:
Mark Jenkins, PhD, Certified Safety Professional REAC/TS Business Operations Manager (Health Physicist) Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Mark Hart, RN, MS, REAC/TS Emergency Response Team Member Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Doran Christensen, DO, Associate Director, Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Oak Ridge, Tenn.
The cost of the course is $75 and includes continental breakfast and a boxed lunch. Complete conference and registration information will be posted as it becomes available.
Contact Lynda Charles for additional information at lcharles@uky.edu.