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Nursing Education 2018 Journal of Nursing and Health Studies
ISSN: 2574-2825 Page 29
April 23-25, 2018
Rome, Italy
27th Edition of World Congress on
Nursing Education &
Research
Statement of the problem: Hydrofluoric Acid (HFA) is an agent
whose components’ action upon human tissue is unique among
hazardous agents. This ubiquitous chemical destroys skin,
fascia, muscle, and bone. The fluoride anion attaches with the
body’s calcium creating the potential for hypocalcemia, tetany
and death in minutes if countermeasures are not instituted
immediately. Calcium in all of its iterations is the antidote of
choice. However, as much as HFA is a clear and present danger,
knowledge of the agent, its clinical manifestations, and the
therapeutic options are not taught among the medical and
nursing specialties. This presentation serves to discuss HFA,
demonstrate the use of high-fidelity simulators to reinforce
education, and present an HFA mass casualty table-top
exercise.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: A primer on HFA was
available to the learner. Afterwards, an HFA case scenario
was developed and the learner was challenged to deliver
appropriate care at the scene of the exposure and in the
emergency department. Emphasis was placed on the proper
utilization of antidotes. The final stage is a table-top exercise
dealing with multiple victims of an intentional attack and the
efficient use of the various therapeutic choices based upon the
initial triage of the victims.
Findings: Learners have acknowledged that the use of high-
fidelity simulations reinforced their traditional education of
uncommon but life-threateningmedical conditions such as HFA
exposure. The addition of a mass casualty event was purposely
created to address terrorism and the need of emergency
nurses and physicians to act quickly and competently to utilize
resources efficaciously and save lives.
Conclusion & Significance: HFA is a unique hazardous agent
that has not achieved the proper recognition as a potential
agent of terror. The use of case simulations and table-top
exercises can resolve that issue efficiently and entertainingly.
Biography
Paul Rega has been an Emergency Physician for over thirty years and has
been board-certified in Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Emergency Med-
icine until his retirement. At present, his activities have been concentrated
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 pandemics, global
health, and disasters. Virtually all of his educational endeavors are multidis-
ciplinary in nature (Medicine, Nursing, PA, Pharmacology, and Public Health)
and he makes extensive use of simulation (table-top and functional exercis-
es, high-fidelity simulations, hybrid simulations, etc.). His association with
the university has also resulted in a number of publications in peer-reviewed
journals and grants associated with disaster medicine, simulationmedicine,
and pandemic preparedness and response.
Hydrofluoric acid: the next terrorist weapon? Preparing
yourself and your team
Paul Rega
University of Toledo, USA
Paul Rega, J Nurs Health Stud 2018, Volume 3
DOI: 10.21767/2574-2825-C1-002