Journal of Nursing and Health Studies

A botulism mass casualty incident: Nursing imperatives

27^th Edition of World Congress on Nursing Education & Research
April 23-25, 2018 Rome, Italy

Paul Rega

University of Toledo, USA

Keynote: J Nurs Health Stud

DOI: 10.21767/2574-2825-C1-001

Abstract

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, and short-and long-term management 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, its management, and the triaging of 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 Emergency Medicine 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 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 publications in peer-reviewed journals and grants associated with disaster medicine, simulation medicine, and pandemic preparedness and response.
Email:paul.rega@utoledo.edu