Soviet medical response to the Chernobyl nuclear accident

Journal Article · Fri Aug 07 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1987.03400050079031· OSTI ID:6121714

Linnemann, R E

The nuclear accident at Chernobyl was the worst in the history of nuclear power. It tested the organized medical response to mass radiation casualties. This article reviews the Soviet response as reported at the 1986 postaccident review meeting in Vienna and as determined from interviews. The Soviets used three levels of care: rescue and first aid at the plant site; emergency treatment at regional hospitals; and definitive evaluation and treatment in Moscow. Diagnosis, triage, patient disposition, attendant exposure, and preventive actions are detailed. The United States would be well advised to organize its resources definitively to cope with future nonmilitary nuclear accidents.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia
• OSTI ID: 6121714
• Journal Information: JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 258:5; ISSN JAMAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
560161 -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACCIDENTS
ANIMAL TISSUES
ASIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BONE MARROW
BURNS
CHERNOBYLSK-4 REACTOR
DOSES
EASTERN EUROPE
EMERGENCY PLANS
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
EUROPE
GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM
INJURIES
LWGR TYPE REACTORS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
ORGANS
POWER PLANTS
POWER REACTORS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIATION INJURIES
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTORS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMAL REACTORS
TISSUES
USSR
WATER COOLED REACTORS