| WHAT: | National Disaster Life Support Courses (BDLS & ADLS) |
| WHEN: | Friday-Sunday, May-5-7, 8 a.m-5 p.m. |
| WHERE: | The University of Arizona Student Union, North Ballroom |
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MECIAL WRITERS/ ASSIGNMENT EDITORS NOTE:: | Reporters are welcome to cover the hands-on culmination of these classes May 7 from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. at the University of Arizona's Student Union, (North Ballroom and adjacent rooms). During this time, participants will be "treating" volunteers acting as victims during a simulated disaster, as well as using a Human Patient Simulator. Vinetha Narasimhan, MPA, CREST program coordinator, instructors and participants will be available for interviews. |
Disaster exercises, such as The University of Arizona's drill April 12, have become valuable in preparation for organizations responding to real-world emergencies. Before the practice drill or an actual emergency happens, those giving medical treatment need to have the specialized skills and knowledge needed for effective disaster response.
The Critical Response & Emergency Systems Training (CREST) program at the UA will be holding two medical training courses on disaster preparedness for healthcare professionals Friday-Sunday, May 5-7 at the UA Student Union. Participants in the courses have a wide range of medical backgrounds, including physicians, nurses, physicians' assistants, paramedics and pharmacists.
Emergency medicine faculty members lead the one-day Basic Disaster Life Support Course (BDLS). Participants receive training on the recognition and the medical management of victims of natural and manmade disasters, such as explosions, and nuclear, biological and chemical attacks.
Participants who complete BDLS continue developing their skills with the two-day Advance Disaster Life Support (ADLS) course, which gives a practical experience for participants. The course expands on lessons from BDLS with hands-on instruction on community and hospital disaster planning, media and communications during the disaster and mass fatality management. The second portion of ADLS consists of interactive group sessions working through difficult scenarios and drills.
"The purpose of these courses is to train healthcare providers to recognize injuries that occur during disasters and emergencies, and to properly manage patients according to need," said Vinetha Narasimhan, MPA, CREST program coordinator.
"The combination of instruction and hands-on interaction gives participants an opportunity to learn and implement their new skills," Ms. Narasimhan said. "Experiences such as wearing personal protective equipment aren't everyday occurrences for medical professionals, but they do have an impact on the quality of care in a real crisis."
The Arizona CREST program is funded by a $2.3 million federal grant to the Arizona Emergency Medicine Research Center (AEMRC) at the UA, which is part of a $4.46 million collaborative grant with the University of New Mexico. The program aims to equip healthcare professionals in Arizona and New Mexico to deal with the medical consequences related to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies.
"The BDLS and ADLS courses are designed to help emergency front-line professionals as well as hospital-based personnel better prepare for natural and manmade disasters," said Benson S. Munger, PhD, research associate professor, UA Department of Emergency Medicine, and associate director of AEMRC.
The grant will enable AEMRC to provide a level of training that should make Arizona one of the best-prepared states in the nation for a disaster, said Frank G. Walter, MD, FACEP, FACMT, FAACT, CREST medical director, associate professor and chief, Division of Medical Toxicology, UA Department of Emergency Medicine.
"Arizona medical personnel are very fortunate to have the opportunity to have this training at their fingertips," Ms. Narasimhan said. "The skills, knowledge and resources these courses provide are on the leading edge of emergency preparedness that no healthcare professional should miss."
Established by the Arizona Board of Regents in 1990, AEMRC is a Center of Excellence at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. AEMRC's mission is the advancement of research, education and training in emergency medicine.
