Medical Management Of Radiological Casualties

At a glance..

The purpose of this handbook is to provide concise supplemental reading material for the Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation Course, which is the only course in the Department of Defense for training health care professionals in the management of uncontrolled ionizing radiation exposure.

The details..

"Medical defense against radiological warfare is one of the least emphasized segments of modern medical education." The handbook provides supplemental reading material for the Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation Course, which trains health care professionals in managing uncontrolled ionizing radiation exposure. It covers acute high-dose radiation management protocols, blast and thermal biological effects, low dose-rate radiation, psychological effects, external contamination, internal contamination including depleted uranium and biological dosimetry.

This first edition was published in December 1999 by Military Medical Operations Office at Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute located in Bethesda Maryland. Mentioned commercial equipment or therapeutic agents do not constitute endorsement by Defense Department; trade names are used only for clarity purposes. No therapeutic agents have been approved by FDA specifically to treat ionizing radiation injury due to ethical constraints bar human-efficacy research protocols necessary to obtain this certification.

Every effort has been made to make this handbook consistent with official policy and doctrine but it should not be construed as such unless supported by other documents.

Overall the book serves as an essential resource on medical management during radiological emergencies.