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Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Preparedness of Public Hospitals in Riyadh
- Ahmed A. Alahmari, Anas A. Khan
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- Journal:
- Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness / Volume 17 / 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 02 June 2023, e401
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- Article
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Objectives:
Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents are those that involve chemical or biological warfare agents or toxic radiological or nuclear materials. These agents can cause disasters intentionally or accidentally. Hospitals play a crucial role in handling CBRN disasters. This study aimed to assess the CBRN preparedness of government hospitals in Riyadh.
Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted across government hospitals in Riyadh. All government hospitals with more than 100 inpatient beds and an emergency department met the inclusion criteria. Hospital preparedness was assessed using an adaptation of the CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive event) Plan Checklist. This adaptation was chosen due to the inclusion of explosive events in hospital disaster readiness, and its structural composition of key clinical guidelines necessary for a comprehensive disaster and readiness plan. Results were described in frequencies across several domains such as foundational considerations and planning which are used to assess plan preparedness using readiness tools, training, and awareness among staff members in accordance to a pre-established emergency plan, placed procedures and their implementation, and modules for preparing for a biological incident, a chemical incident, and a radiological or nuclear incident.
Results:Of the 11 eligible hospitals, 10 participated in the study. Furthermore, CBRN considerations were included in the disaster plans of 7 hospitals. Drills had been conducted in collaboration with local agencies in only 2 hospitals. The staff had been trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of exposure to class (A) biological agents in less than half of the hospitals. Eight of the hospitals had antidotes and prophylactics to manage chemical incidents, but only half of them had radiation detection instruments. Personal protective equipment was available in all hospitals, but rapid access to stockpiles of medications was available in only half of them.
Conclusions:Government hospitals in Riyadh demonstrated insufficient CBRN preparedness as per the CBRNE Plan Checklist. Overall, there was a lack of preemptive planning, application of pre-established policies and procedures, and adequate staff training. Furthermore, several hospitals had insufficient stockpiles of medications and in concrete plans on accessing government stockpiles in the case of an emergency. Therefore, their staffs should be trained to manage CBRN emergencies, and local drills should be conducted to improve their preparedness.
Managing Hajj Mass Gathering Throughout the Pandemic
- Anas Khan, Ahmed Alahmari
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 38 / Issue S1 / May 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 13 July 2023, p. s79
- Print publication:
- May 2023
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- Article
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Introduction:
The rise of the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant concerns due to the risk of transmission in such mass gatherings. Too many variables for such a critical challenge made it more of a complex situation, with an enormous negative impact on either decision. In this paper, we aimed to summarize the experience of Saudi Arabia in hosting and managing Hajj throughout the pandemic for three seasons, the public health strategies to control the COVID-19 transmission during Hajj, and the policies and regulations that were implemented for the safe return of Hajj.
Method:This is a summary of our experience in managing Hajj seasons throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for the period 2020, 2021, and 2022. A description of the factors, models, and tools used to assess the situation for each year, and the bundles of measures followed to mitigate the events aiming to hold a "Safe Hajj".
Results:2020 was a unique year, with the pandemic at its height with no vaccination available. So, the decision was to hold a symbolic strict Hajj of only 1,000 pilgrims residing within Saudi Arabia. In 2021, as the World was easing restrictions and distributing vaccines, around 60,000 internal pilgrims got to perform Hajj, and 2022 hosted one million international pilgrims. That is still 40% of 2019 Hajj with 2.5 million due to considerations to avoid usual overcrowding and mandating COVID-19 full vaccination status.
Conclusion:Our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years has informed us that huge MGs can be conducted safely during the pandemic if adequate measures were implemented. That would include an accurate and reliable risk assessment to inform policymakers about the most effective strategies.