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Journal of Nursing and Health Studies
ISSN: 2574-2825
April 23-25, 2018
Rome, Italy
Nursing Education 2018
Page 35
27th Edition of World Congress on
Nursing Education &
Research
Statement of the Problem: Botulism is a category A bioterrorism
agent according to the CDC (center for disease control and
prevention). However, a comprehensive knowledge of the
manifestations, therapy, andshort-and long-termmanagement of
the botulism patient is lacking in US medical and nursing circles.
Additionally, the management of multiple botulism patients
in terms of assessing criticality and prioritizing treatment and
transport of multiple patients with inadequate resources is rarely
addressed.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The learner will learn
the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of botulism
as well as the acute and long-term management of a botulism
patient. Subsequently, a table-top exercise and/or drill will
address strategic and tactical options when emergency nurses
are confronted with multiple botulism victims. The similarities
and differences between an intentional botulism outbreak and
an accidental botulism outbreak will be explored.
Findings: Using case-based simulation and table-top exercises,
the learner will have a better perspective about botulism, its
manifestations, itsmanagement, and the triagingof and resource
management for multiple patients.
Conclusion & Significance: Botulism is a disease that is rarely
taught and planned for in the USA despite its placement as a
category A bioterror agent. Providing emergency and critical
nurses a thorough background in the short- and long-term
characteristics of this disease will prove valuable if ever they are
confronted with a mass casualty incident.
Biography
Paul Rega has been an Emergency Physician for over thirty years and
has been board-certified in Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Emergen-
cy Medicine until his retirement. At present, his activities have been con-
centrated in education and research at The University of Toledo College
of Medicine where he is an Assistant Professor in both the Department
of Public Health & Preventive Medicine and the Department of Emergency
Medicine. He currently has a number of semester courses relating to pan-
demics, global health, and disasters. Virtually all of his educational endeav-
ors are multidisciplinary in nature (Medicine, Nursing, PA, Pharmacology,
and Public Health) and he makes extensive use of simulation (table-top
and functional exercises, high-fidelity simulations, hybrid simulations, etc.).
His association with the university has also resulted in a number of pub-
lications in peer-reviewed journals and grants associated with disaster
medicine, simulationmedicine, and pandemic preparedness and response.
A botulism mass casualty incident: nursing
imperatives
Paul Rega
University of Toledo, USA
Paul Rega, J Nurs Health Stud 2018, Volume 3
DOI: 10.21767/2574-2825-C1-001