Radiation: Detection and Treatment

Training attended by Mendota Community Hospital staff

Linda Brandt, RN

Recently, Linda Brandt, RN, and Ann Ward, RT, both Mendota Community Hospital staff members, along with 23 others from hospitals in northern Illinois, attended training in Radiation Emergency Medicine.  The training took place at the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training site (REAC/TS) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This opportunity was provided by Rockford Memorial Hospital.

While there, all trainees were instructed in the fundamentals of radiation physics, how to detect and measure radiation and contamination, how to prevent the spread of contamination, how to reduce radiation doses to victims and providers, and the role of Medical/Health Physicists in caring for contaminated victims. The training also included early evaluation and treatment of the acute radiation syndrome, acute local injury, cutaneous injuries and combined injuries, hospital preparedness and hospital management of mass casualties. The program consisted of lectures and hands on demonstrations.

One very important instrument in evaluation of radiation is the Geiger counter. A Geiger counter is used to locate radioactivity and assist in determining the type of radiation present.  For the demonstration an older type of Coleman lantern mantles were used to detect radiation. Frequent readings are taken during an actual event and relayed to the Health Physicist along with the patient history. With this information, they can determine if the patient will need an antidote such as DTPA or Prussian Blue.  This also determines when decontamination is complete.

  A full mock drill with injured and contaminated patients was performed. Caregivers were dressed in the appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for radiation.  Treatment priorities are based first, on the medical needs of the patient. Obtaining a full patient history and baseline labs (blood work) is very important. Decontamination is performed after medical treatment and the patient is in stable condition.  The greatest amount of decontamination can be accomplished by simply removing the patients clothing. Decontamination is performed in a specific order beginning with open wounds, body orifices around the face, and finally intact skin.  Irrigation of wounds with normal saline and washing of the skin with soap and water is done until the Health Physicist determines the end point.

Common sense precautions and simple changes in normal patient care enable the caregiver to manage radioactive contamination, protecting themselves and the hospital.  REAC/TS will also assist at any time with information or instruction for any radiation event.