Abstract

Abstract ---Radiology incident has been a great threat to Taiwan. Any leakage of radiation can lead to major casualties. We wonder whether emergency department been well prepared if this situation occurred here. Because radiation is not physically detectable, it’s difficult for a primary physician to determine the severity of the victim. Numbers showed on the survey meters may not be compatible with the dosage the patient has exposed. Three ways of radiation-induced injury may occur: external irradiation, contamination with radioactive materials, and incorporation of radioactive material into tissues, cells, or organs. The different causes for radiation-induced injury may result in different modes of emergent management. The standard emergency protocols of advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), advanced pediatric life support (APLS), and advanced trauma life support (ATLS) should always take care first over treating the effects of radiation because of concomitant clinical conditions. The medical stability of the patient should be ensured before concentrating on the radiation-related clinical issues. Lymphocyte count in 48 hour is very important predictor of prognosis. We can minimize radiation exposure through decrease the amount of time the victims spend near the source of radiation. It is also essential to increase distance and shielding between radioactive sources. Four levels of response to radiation event in Taiwan. Depending how serious the radiation has been leaked, the impact on society greatly differs.