nuclear-news

Dirty bomb or nuclear accident would catch US health system unprepared

U.S. health-care system unprepared for major nuclear emergency, officials say   The Washington Post, By Sheri Fink, Thursday, April 7, U.S. officials say the nation’s health system is ill-prepared to cope with a catastrophic release of radiation, despite years of focus on the possibility of a terrorist “dirty bomb” or an improvised nuclear device attack.

A blunt assessment circulating among American officials says, “Current capabilities can only handle a few radiation injuries at any one time.” That assessment, prepared by the Department of Homeland Security in 2010 and stamped “for official use only,’’ says “there is no strategy for notifying the public in real time of recommendations on shelter or evacuation priorities.”

The Homeland Security report, plus several other reports and interviews with almost two dozen experts inside and outside the government, reveal other gaps that might increase the risks posed by a nuclear accident or terrorist attack…..

President Obama’s proposed budget would cut funding for a federal hospital preparedness program by about 10 percent. The release of proposed federal regulations that would require hospitals to meet emergency management standards has been delayed…..U.S. health-care system unprepared for major nuclear emergency, officials say – The Washington Post

April 8, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA