Assessment and treatment requirements of public hospitals to radiation emergencies

Abstract

Radiological emergencies present unique challenges to the public health care system and carry the potential for major disruptions to clinical care. This review aims to present, first a brief guide of the main clinical and laboratory diagnostic tools for the assessment of the absorbed dose in cases of radiological emergencies and second, the best treatment options for acute whole body and local radiation syndromes. Clinical and laboratory state-of-the-art biodosimetry tools, therapies for acute radiation syndromes according to the severity of the radiation sickness, and isotope-specific preparedness medications as counter-measures for internal contamination are herein proposed as the necessary stockpile of public hospitals against severe radiological accidents.

Keywords

• Radiological incidents; radiation emergencies; biodosimetry; acute radiation syndromes; radiation treatment.