Chemical Agent Exposure Management

Target Population: Trauma teams including surgeons, anesthesiologists, emergency room physicians, and nurses working in the emergency department, the operating room, and intensive care unit. Objectives: This course focuses on the clinical aspects of treating victims of chemical warfare.  The training includes identifying the nature and severity of the attack, the provision of effective and orderly treatment, team work and the organization of and familiarity with equipment, including working in personal protective gear. Course Description: In collaboration with the Israeli Defense Forces' non-conventional warfare and emergency departments, MSR designed a course that focuses on the clinical aspects of treating victims of a nerve gas attack at the individual level. This is in contrast to the more typical approach of concentrating on the organizational and logistical implications of dealing with mass casualties.  Task trainers, full body simulators, and simulated patients present cases in small group teaching stations.  Training culminates in sophisticated simulations using advanced audio-visual equipment to create realistic "hot" (contaminated) and "cold" (clean) zones complete with sound effects and smoke.