ACR Reminds Medical Community of Disaster Preparedness Primer
Contact: Cary Boshamer
(703) 716-7540
E-mail: caryb@acr.org
Reston, Va. –– With the increase in the national terrorist threat index and the term "dirty bomb" again becoming part of everyday conversations, the American College of Radiology reminds members and other health care providers that methodical preparation is the key to the proper response in the event a radiological device is used as part of a terrorist incident. The ACR reminds health care professionals that the primer, "Disaster Preparedness for Radiology Professionals: Response to Radiological Terrorism," is available on the ACR Web site.
On Tuesday, Feb. 11, government officials warned of the likelihood of new terrorist attacks, possibly including the "use of a radiological dispersion device as well as poisons and chemicals." The ACR has worked closely with the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine to allay unwarranted fears and provide accurate information to the medical community and general public on how to prepare and respond to such an incident.
The primer, which can be downloaded, serves as a quick reference in the event of a radiological event and offers guidance on proper preparation, as well as directives on handling contaminated persons and consequences of radiation exposure. The primer also includes information on radiological findings related to agents that could be used in a biological or chemical attack.
The primer and the ACR Disaster Planning Web page are available at www.acr.org via a direct link, Disaster Planning Information.
The ACR is a national organization serving more than 32,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of radiology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.
