Hospital-Based Preparedness Measures for CBRNE Disasters: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Public Health
• Disaster Management

Background:

• Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNe) events pose significant global threats and cause high fatalities.
• Inadequate hospital equipment and preparedness hinder effective management of CBRNe incidents.
• Modernization and standardization of hospital resources are crucial for high-risk situations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review hospital-based preparedness measures for CBRNe incidents.
• To identify key domains and specific measures in hospital preparedness for CBRNe events.
• To highlight areas requiring improvement in hospital readiness for CBRNe emergencies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines.
• Comprehensive literature search (January 2010-2023) across major databases.
• Bias assessment using the modified ROBINS-I instrument and data synthesis by both authors.

Main Results:

• Twenty studies met inclusion criteria, identifying three preparedness domains: personal, technological, and structural.
• Decontamination, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and detection were frequently addressed.
• Management of deceased bodies, transportation, and Points of Dispensing (PODs) were largely overlooked.

Conclusions:

• Hospital preparedness for CBRNe incidents requires enhancement across personal, technological, and structural domains.
• Existing research predominantly focuses on immediate response measures like decontamination and PPE.
• Addressing overlooked areas such as deceased body management and logistical support is vital for comprehensive CBRNe readiness.