Preparedness Is More Than a Plan

Medical Considerations for Radiation Response

Abstract

The goals herein are to describe and discuss existing plans for the medical preparedness and response to a radiological incident/nuclear detonation, present the systems approach to nuclear response, introduce methods to assess operational capabilities, and posit suggestions for the way forward to implementation. This discussion seeks to review where these U.S. government efforts began 10 y ago, then moves through the collective National progress in preparedness planning for an improvised nuclear device detonation and differentiates between important preparedness planning efforts and the challenges of understanding national implementation. Finally, a way forward for the immediate future is suggested.