Responding to a Nuclear Power Disaster

Is it safe to examine patients that might have been exposed to high radiation levels?

Implement appropriate emergency measures during the latent period and then, if necessary, relocate the patient.

If the patient requires life-saving measures, due to broken bones or blood vessel damage, for example, then prevent the spread of contamination, such as by covering the bed with plastic filter paper, but providing medical care is the first priority, rather than decontamination. After the patient condition has stabilized, if decontamination is necessary, be careful not to spread the contamination. Wipe contaminated areas with a pad soaked in cleaning solution and dispose of the pad as radioactive waste.

For patients with high exposure levels, unfortunately, it may be difficult to save their life unless they are treated in a sterile room and provide medical care for radiation exposure. Note, however, that even in the case of high exposure dose levels, there is a latent period before symptoms appear. There is at least a 2 or 3-day delay period, during which the patient can be safely moved to a designated hospital that specializes in nuclear power disasters, while also continuing to perform any necessary emergency measures.