Shaun Quigley MBBCh, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jonathan David Colledge MBChB, BSc, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Isabelle Reed MBBCh, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ashok Adams MBBS, MRCP, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Wade Gayed MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Muaaze Z. Ahmad MBChB, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ian Goddard, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

London has experienced terrorist attacks and is at risk of environmental and occupational disasters. Adequate, coordinated responses to such catastrophes require preparation. We assess awareness of hospital major incident plans (MIP), exposure to MIP training and preparedness staff across the London trauma network (The Royal London, St George's, St Mary's and King's College Hospitals) and 2012 Olympics receiving hospital (Homerton).

Staff involved in a major incident response were surveyed via hospital Emergency Planning Liaison Officers. The sample group represents those expected to respond upon declaration of a Major Incident and includes radiology, medical, surgical, paediatric, emergency medicine, anaesthetics and intensive care doctors, emergency and intensive care nursing staff, radiographers, theatre and laboratory staff. All respondents completed an identical proforma. Data collection was completed over a two month period.  

530 responses were received. 163 (75.1%) consultants, 29 (32.2%) registrars and 14 (22.2%) residents had read their hospital’s MIP. Of the allied health professionals group - composed of radiographers, nursing and laboratory staff - 135 (84.4%) had read their MIP. 42 (46.7%) of registrars and 15 (9.4%) allied staff did not know where to find the MIP. 142 (26.8%) respondents received a hospital induction which introduced the MIP. Provision of major incident training was also poor and variable depending on grade – 4 (4.4%) of registrars had been involved in a mock exercise compared to 82 (37.8%) consultants. Despite the majority of consultants having read the MIP and 37.8% taking part in rehearsals, 63 (29%) did not know their role in the event a major incident was declared. Confidence in roles was also significantly higher in non-medical staff than in doctors (134/158 vs 206/370, p<0.0001). Radiologists were significantly less likely to be aware of their roles than other consultants (14/27 vs 137/186, p=0.025).

Awareness of MIPs amongst medical staff in the London trauma network is poor. Provision of MIP education and training exercises is suboptimal. Awareness and knowledge of roles has not improved when compared to previous work.

Improvements in training are required to adequately prepare radiology staff and other medical professionals to respond efficiently in the unpredictable situations encountered during a Major Incident.

Quigley, S, Colledge, J, Reed, I, Adams, A, Gayed, W, Ahmad, M, Goddard, I, Responding to a Terrorist or Mass Casualty Incident: Current Awareness of Hospital Major Incident Plans in London Trauma Network Hospitals, and Training and Preparedness of Radiology, Medical, and Allied Health Professionals.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11000356.html