TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of CBRN Preparedness of German Hospitals with Higher Level of Care
T2 - A Cross-Sectional Survey
AU - Hupf, Julian
AU - Zimmermann, Markus
AU - Maier-Stocker, Constantin
AU - Hanses, Frank
AU - Mortelmans, Luc J.M.
AU - Halpern, Pinchas
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), 2024.
PY - 2024/9/18
Y1 - 2024/9/18
N2 - Objective Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) events with multiple casualties are rare events, but preparedness is crucial for hospitals to respond properly. This study evaluated the preparedness and disaster planning of German hospitals for CBRN incidents. Methods In a cross-sectional study, German hospitals with level III (highest level) emergency departments were surveyed using an online questionnaire focusing on risk assessment, infrastructure, hospital disaster planning, and preparedness for CBRN events. Results Between June and July 2023, 50 hospitals were surveyed. 62.5% of the hospitals had a section on chemical incidents in their disaster plan. A decontamination facility was available in 29.8% of the hospitals and chemical protective suits in 46.8%. The minority of the hospitals trained the correct handling of personal protective equipment (PPE) (39.1%) regularly or had frequent CBRN drills (21.3%). Most hospitals had the infrastructure for medical isolation (93.6%). Conclusions The level of CBRN preparedness is heterogeneous for German hospitals. Most were well prepared for infectious patients, but only half of all hospitals had sufficient PPE for chemical incidents and only 30% had a decontamination facility available. Overall, the level of CBRN preparedness is still insufficient and needs further improvement.
AB - Objective Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) events with multiple casualties are rare events, but preparedness is crucial for hospitals to respond properly. This study evaluated the preparedness and disaster planning of German hospitals for CBRN incidents. Methods In a cross-sectional study, German hospitals with level III (highest level) emergency departments were surveyed using an online questionnaire focusing on risk assessment, infrastructure, hospital disaster planning, and preparedness for CBRN events. Results Between June and July 2023, 50 hospitals were surveyed. 62.5% of the hospitals had a section on chemical incidents in their disaster plan. A decontamination facility was available in 29.8% of the hospitals and chemical protective suits in 46.8%. The minority of the hospitals trained the correct handling of personal protective equipment (PPE) (39.1%) regularly or had frequent CBRN drills (21.3%). Most hospitals had the infrastructure for medical isolation (93.6%). Conclusions The level of CBRN preparedness is heterogeneous for German hospitals. Most were well prepared for infectious patients, but only half of all hospitals had sufficient PPE for chemical incidents and only 30% had a decontamination facility available. Overall, the level of CBRN preparedness is still insufficient and needs further improvement.
KW - chemical terrorism
KW - disaster planning
KW - mass casualty incidents
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85204511980&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/dmp.2024.130
DO - 10.1017/dmp.2024.130
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C2 - 39291311
AN - SCOPUS:85204511980
SN - 1935-7893
VL - 18
JO - Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
JF - Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
M1 - e133
ER -