Abstract ---Radiology
incident has been a great threat to Taiwan. Any leakage of radiation
can lead to major casualties. We wonder whether emergency department
been well prepared if this situation occurred here. Because radiation
is not physically detectable, it¡¦s difficult for a primary
physician to determine the severity of the victim. Numbers showed
on the survey meters may not be compatible with the dosage the patient
has exposed. Three ways of radiation-induced injury may occur: external
irradiation, contamination with radioactive materials, and incorporation
of radioactive material into tissues, cells, or organs. The different
causes for radiation-induced injury may result in different modes
of emergent management. The standard emergency protocols of advanced
cardiac life support (ACLS), advanced pediatric life support (APLS),
and advanced trauma life support (ATLS) should always take care
first over treating the effects of radiation because of concomitant
clinical conditions. The medical stability of the patient should
be ensured before concentrating on the radiation-related clinical
issues. Lymphocyte count in 48 hour is very important predictor
of prognosis. We can minimize radiation exposure through decrease
the amount of time the victims spend near the source of radiation.
It is also essential to increase distance and shielding between
radioactive sources. Four levels of response to radiation event
in Taiwan. Depending how serious the radiation has been leaked,
the impact on society greatly differs. |