1. CBRN preparedness of Dutch ambulance teams: the impact of research
CBRN preparedness of Dutch ambulance teams: the impact of research. Mortelmans LJM1,2, Dieltiens G1, Sabbe MB2,3 1 Dept Emergency Medicine, ZNA Camp Stuivenberg, Antwerp 2 Center for Research and Education in Emergency Care, University Leuven 3 Dept Emergency Medicine, Univ Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven
Material and methods:
Participants of this new course completed an online survey on demographics, perceived knowledge, capability, willingness to work and training. The reported answers were controlled with a set of theoretical/practical questions on the subject. Scores were compared with those of the pilot course and untrained ambulance personnel.
Results:
Preliminary results reveal a mean age of 49 years, 44% has had any disaster training before. Eighty percent works in the vicinity of a chemical risk installation and 20% near a nuclear installation. There was a higher estimated knowledge, ranging from 4.8/10 (vs. 2.9 in the untrained group and 3.6 in the pilot group) for nuclear incidents to 5.53/10 (vs and 4.59) in chemical incidents. Self estimated capability to deal with these incidents also scored higher, from 3.93/10 (vs and 3.59) in nuclear incidents to 4.67/10 (vs and 4.63) in chemical incidents. Up to 100% stated to be practically trained to use personal protective equipment (vs. 24 and 26%) with a clearly higher score on self estimated practical knowledge on this subject (7.53/10 vs and 4.22). A good practical training in decontamination was reported in 93.33% (vs. 27% and 43%) with also a higher score on practical knowledge (6.87/10 vs and 4.48). The end score on the theoretical/practical test was also higher in the study group (7.47/10 vs and 5.98). There was however no higher willingness to work, nor in nuclear nor in chemical incidents.
Introduction:
The Netherlands is a densely populated country in Northern Europe. With several nuclear installations, a heavy petrochemical industry, transport of related products by road, rail or water and possible terrorist targets, the risk for CBRN incidents is eminent. In case of such an incident, ambulance personnel will be first to be confronted with victims but are they really prepared? The Dutch Ambulance Academy shared this concern and organised an introductory day course on working in CBRN circumstances as pilot project in cooperation with the Defence CBRN Centre. A previous study revealed the gaps in preparedness. The course enhanced the scores of the participants but the practical knowledge however seemed to remain limited. Following this conclusions a 2-day course was designed with emphasis on practical training.
Conclusion:
The preliminary data of this study illustrate how research has an impact on the evolution in training and enhances CBRN preparedness of Dutch ambulance teams. Further evaluation of participants of following training sessions seems mandatory.