The poison center role in biological and chemical terrorism

Nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) terrorism countermeasures are a majo r priority with municipalities, healthcare providers, and the federal gover nment. Significant resources are being invested to enhance civilian domesti c preparedness by conducting education at every response level in anticipat ion of a NBC terroristic incident. The key to a successful response, in add ition to education, is integration of efforts as well as thorough communica tion and understanding the role that each agency would play in an actual or impending NBC incident. In anticipation of a NBC event, a regional counter -terrorism task force was established to identify resources, establish resp onsibilities and coordinate the response to NBC terrorism. Members of the t ask force included first responders, hazmat, law enforcement (local, region al, national), government officials, the health department, and the regiona l poison information center. Response protocols were developed and educatio n was conducted, culminating in all members of the response task force beco ming certified NBC instructors. The poison center participated actively in 3 incidents of suspected biologic and chemical terrorism: an alleged anthra x-contaminated letter sent to a women's health clinic; a possible sarin gas release in a high school; and a potential anthrax/ebola contamination inci dent at an international airport. All incidents were determined hoaxes. The regional response plan establishes the poison information center as a comm on repository for all cases in a biological or chemical incident. The poiso n center is one of several critical components of a regional counterterrori sm response force. It can conduct active and passive toxicosurveillance and identify sentinel events. To be responsive, the poison center staff must b e knowledgeable about biological and chemical agents. The development of ba sic protocols and a standardized staff education program is essential. The use of the RaPiD-T (R-recognition, P-protection, D-detection, T-triage/trea tment) course can provide basic staff education for responding to this impo rtant but rare consultation to the poison center.