Infection Control and Bioterrorism

THE BNE REQUIRES TWO CONTACT HOURS OF BIOTERRORISM TRAINING FOR NURSING PERSONNEL BY 2007

“The overarching purpose of the NDLS courses is to provide the basic information and skill set that all health and safety workers need to competently respond to an intended or naturally occurring public health emergency. Such training will help create and sustain a seamless and integrated disaster life support system at the national, state, and community levels.

The NDLS courses stress a comprehensive all-hazards approach to help physicians and other health professionals deal with catastrophic emergencies from terrorist acts as well as from explosions, fires, natural disasters (such as hurricanes and floods), and infectious diseases, which are much more likely to occur.

By completing these courses, clinicians will better understand their integrated roles in the broader disaster response system. In large-scale mass casualty events, physicians and other health care workers must be knowledgeable of the need for efficient coordination among local, state, and federal emergency response efforts; how to protect themselves and others from further harm; how to communicate effectively with other emergency personnel and the media; and how to address the unique psychological impacts and related social chaos that may ensue.”