Internet Educational Tool

Thomas E. Terndrup, M.D.Professor and ChairDepartment of Emergency MedicineDirector, Center for Disaster PreparednessUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham

Diverse backgrounds of trainees Full responsibilities Natural outbreaks vs. attacks Rare, but high-risk Limited or no clinical experience

Bioterrorism: Challenges of Training

Screensaver Intervention:~17% increase in correct responses

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52.4

59.1

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Pre-EDPost-ED

Baseline Intervention

Neisseria meningitidis Bacillus anthracis

Public Health Preparation = Bioterrorism Preparation

Naturally Occurring Bioterrorism

“Dual-Use”

The Biological Terrorist Spectrum

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Mass Casualty Devices/Agents

Numbers of Casualties

Hoaxes

• Classical Agents• State Sponsorship

• Many Agents• Individual/Group

Non-Mass Casualty Devices/Agents

First Point of Care:Emergency MedicinePrimary Care Providers:

Internal MedicinePediatricsOb/GynFamily Practice

Hospital Infection ControlInitial Diagnostics:

PathologyRadiology

Consultative Specialties:Infectious DiseasePulmonology and Critical CareDermatologyNephrologySurgical SubspecialtiesOther Medical Subspecialties

Medical Specialties