Hupf, Julian and Zimmermann, Markus and Maier-Stocker, Constantin and Hanses, Frank and Mortelmans, Luc J. M. and Halpern, Pinchas (2024) Evaluation of CBRN Preparedness of German Hospitals with Higher Level of Care: A Cross- Sectional Survey. DISASTER MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS, 18: e133. ISSN 1935-7893, 1938-744X
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
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.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | mass casualty incidents; chemical terrorism; disaster planning |
| Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine |
| Divisions: | Medicine > Notfallambulanz |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Jan 2026 06:35 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Jan 2026 06:35 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/64384 |
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