After a radiation emergency, pregnant women should follow instructions from emergency officials and seek medical attention as soon as emergency officials say it is safe to do so.
This infographic contains information about external contamination, internal contamination and radiation exposure.
Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) (sometimes known as radiation toxicity or radiation sickness) is an acute illness caused by irradiation of the entire body (or most of the body) by a high dose of penetrating radiation in a very short period of time (usually a matter of minutes). The major cause of thi
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s syndrome is depletion of immature parenchymal stem cells in specific tissues. Examples of people who suffered from ARS are the survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs, the firefighters that first responded after the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant event in 1986, and some unintentional exposures to sterilization irradiators.
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This pocket guide is designed for clinicians, including physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals, who will provide emergency care following a radiological event. It should be
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used as a supplement to training and practice drills. (Prints on 8½" x 14" paper)
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Injury to the skin and underlying tissues from acute exposure to
a large external dose of radiation is referred to as cutaneous
radiation injury (CRI). Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) 1 will
usually be accompani
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ed by some skin damage; however, CRI
can occur without symptoms of ARS. This is especially true with
acute exposures to beta radiation or low-energy x-rays, because
beta radiation and low-energy x-rays are less penetrating and less
likely to damage internal organs than gamma radiation is. CRI can
occur with radiation doses as low as 2 Gray (Gy) or 200 rads 2 and
the severity of CRI symptoms will increase with increasing doses.
Most cases of CRI have occurred when people inadvertently came
in contact with unsecured radiation sources from food irradiators,
radiotherapy equipment, or well depth gauges. In addition, cases of
CRI have occurred in people who were overexposed to x-radiation
from fluoroscopy units.
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A brief, 17-minute video covering key radiation principles and radiological procedures. Includes demonstrations on application of these principles and procedures in several patient care scenarios in
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an emergency services setting.
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Detonation of a nuclear weapon or activation of a radiological dispersal device could cause radioactively contaminated decedents. These guidelines are designed to address both of these scenarios. They could also be applicable in other instances where decedents’ bodies are contaminated with radioa
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ctive material (e.g. reactor accidents, transportation accidents involving radioactive material, or
the discharge of a decedent from a hospital after injection or implantation of a radiopharmaceutical). These guidelines suggest ways for medical examiners, coroners, and morticians to deal with loose surface contamination, internal contamination, or shrapnel on or in decedents’ bodies.
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The purpose of this training is to prepare clinicians in first receiver settings to: (1) Identify factors impacting immediate medical response to mass casualties following major types of radiological incidents, and (2) Demonstrate appropriate patien
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t assessment, triage, treatment and disposition decision-making required during a radiological mass casualty incident.
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This clinical job aid provides health care workers with information on how to collect specimens for early infant diagnosis on dried blood spots, as well as drying and packaging
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for transport.
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Formularies are lists of antibiotics that are suggested for certain healthcare settings. In developing a recommended formulary, countries should consider the needs of patients and facilities where t
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hey receive care. For example, clinicians in rural or primary health centers may need wide access to first-line antibiotics (e.g., penicillin, ampicillin, TMP-SMX), but last resort antibiotics such as carbapenems or colistin might be limited to tertiary care hospitals. Efforts to create antibiotic formularies may be linked to efforts within countries to create or update essential medicine lists (EML).
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The document titled "Prevención y control del cólera" (Cholera Prevention and Control) provide
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s essential guidance on preventing and managing cholera, a disease characterized by severe watery diarrhea and vomiting. Without prompt treatment, cholera can lead to death due to dehydration within hours. The disease is primarily transmitted through the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person.
To protect against cholera and other diarrheal diseases, the document emphasizes the importance of drinking safe water, such as bottled water with intact seals, boiled water, or water treated with chlorine products. Frequent handwashing with safe water and soap is recommended, and in the absence of soap, hands can be cleaned using ash or sand followed by rinsing with safe water. Proper sanitation practices, such as using latrines or burying feces and avoiding defecation near water sources, are crucial. The document also highlights safe food practices, including thoroughly cooking food (especially seafood), consuming it while hot, keeping it covered, and peeling fruits and vegetables. Ensuring the safe cleaning of kitchens and areas where the family bathes or washes clothes is also advised.
In case of diarrheal illness, the document stresses the immediate use of oral rehydration solution (ORS) to prevent dehydration and the importance of seeking medical attention as quickly as possible. Patients should continue ORS intake both at home and during transit to a health facility. These preventative measures and prompt treatment strategies are vital for reducing cholera transmission and mortality.
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This technical package represents a select group of strategies based on the best available evidence to help communities and states sharpen their focus on prevention activities with the greatest pote
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ntial to prevent suicide
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Veterinarians are leaders and stewards in preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics for animals and people. Working with animal owners
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and producers, veterinarians can slow antibiotic resistance by implementing disease prevention strategies and improving the use of antibiotics while also guaranteeing high-quality medical care for animal patients.
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Checklist for Antibiotic Prescribing in Dentistry - Fact Sheet
Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are a significant burden globally, with millions of patients affected each year. These infections affect both high- and limited-resource healthcare settings, but in limited-resource settings, rates are approxim
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ately twice as high as high-resource settings (15 out of every 100 patients versus 7 out of every 100 patients). Furthermore, rates of infections within certain patient populations are significantly higher in limited-resource settings, including surgical patients, patients in intensive-care units (ICU) and neonatal units. It is well documented that environmental contamination plays a role in the transmission of HAIs in healthcare settings. Therefore, environmental cleaning is a fundamental intervention for infection prevention and control (IPC).It is a multifaceted intervention that involves cleaning and disinfection (when indicated) of the environment alongside other key program elements to support successful implementation (e.g., leadership support, training, monitoring, and feedback mechanisms). To be effective, environmental cleaning activities must be implemented within the framework of the facility IPC program, and not as a standalone intervention. It is also essential that IPC programs advocate for and work with facility administration and government officials to budget, operate and maintain adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure to ensure that environmental cleaning can be performed according to best practices.
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The following checklist is a companion to Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs. This checklist should be used to systematically assess key elements and actions to ensure optimal antibiotic prescribing
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and limit overuse and misuse of antibiotics in hospitals. CDC recommends that all hospitals implement an Antibiotic Stewardship Program.
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Be Antibiotics Aware - Smart Use, Best Care